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AI-LEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

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Confederate Hero
1842-1863

“History is the essence of innumerable biog¬
raphies teaching by experience ”

“History of a voice forever sounding across the
century the laws of right and wrong”

— FROUDE.

EDYTHE JOHNS RUCKER WHITLEY

1947

Uj £ H !7>

1373G97

Sponsorship

“Not to know what has been transacted in former
times is to continue always a child. If no use is
made of the labors of past ages, the world must
remain always in the infancy of knowledge.”

THE SAM DAVIS MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION

Sam Davis Home
Smyrna, Tennessee

Published under S fecial Act of
T ennessee Legislature , 1947.

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2018

https://archive.org/details/samdavisconfederOOwhit

A Note from the Author

Dear Friends:

The compiling and execution of this book has been a labor
of love; a story about a Southern boy; a story of truth and
loyalty to principles instilled by parents, inherited from noble
ancestors; and, a story carrying a moral well to be emulated
by any child, boy or girl, whether from the South, the North,
the East, or the West. It carries with it a message of undying
trustworthiness which every child, in his or her youth, should
embed into their minds and hearts. It is not fiction — it is a
true story; it is not the character of one lad, but, a story, no
doubt, which could be written about many a youth, had the
facts been recorded in by-gone days.

Edythe Johns Rucker Whitley.

Illustrations

Entrance to Sam Davis Shrine

Sam Davis Home Before Restoration

Sam Davis Home Hallway

Sam Davis, Confederate Soldier

Parlor, Sam Davis Home

Family Room, Sam Davis Home

Map Showing Route Taken on Visit Home

Map Showing Route and Place Captured

Tomb of Sam Davis

Davis Home As a Shrine

Where Sam Davis Hitched His Horse on Visit Home
Slave Quarters

Chest Used by Sam Davis in School
Jane Simmons Davis
Charles Lewis Davis
Media Davis Sinnott

Subject Index

Sam Davis, As a Child . . 13

Enters Confederacy . 16

Joins the Scouts . 21

Visits Home . 23

The Papers and the Capture . 27

The Trial . 32

The Battle of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge . 39

The Burial of Sam Davis . ,.. 55

A Comrade’s Story . 59

Pewter Canteen Used by Sam Davis . 65

Tribute to Sam Davis . 66

Epitaphs . 69

Sam Davis’ Home — A Shrine . 70

Monuments to Sam Davis . 73

Genealogy :

Davis’ Family . 83

Simmons Family . 107

Collier Family . 115

Gee Family . 123

Ingram Family . 134

Pressley Family . 135

Thweatt Family

.. 137

~S)atn 2)auiJ ~~Mome — i^e^ore {Restoration

Sa m Davis As a Child

The pages of history reveal that in every war there appears a man whose
courage and zeal stands out from all other. This man may be a general or he
may be of the lowest rank and file.

During the War Between the States, 1861-1865, there lived in Tennessee a
lad named Sam Davis, who was born on a farm near Smyrna in Rutherford
County, October 6, 1842, the eldest son of Charles Lewis Davis and his second
wife, Jane Simmons. His ancestors were of good, steady Virginia and North
Carolina stock — the kind of people who through hard work and many
struggles, laid the foundation for the American way of life.

It was a comfortable home, nestled beneath the oaks and elms which spread
above and the songs of the babbling creek nearby; but, for the sternness of
the father, Charles Lewis Davis, whose thought was only that his children
should grow into the best citizens, it was a quiet, peaceful home. This stern¬
ness was often overcome by the gentle nature of a mother’s love for her children,
for Jane Simmons Davis was just such a mother.

When Sam was quite young, five or six years old, his father purchased a
tract of rich land in the same community where he had lived for many years
and where Sam was born; there he built a more modern and commodious
residence, that his sons and daughters might find comfort and pleasure.

It was in these surroundings the boy Sam grew to the age of nineteen years
in the loving companionship with the mother he so closely resembled; the
father he did not fear, but respected his every command; and his brothers and
sisters with whom his leisure hours were spent in play.

Young Sam had very distinctive traits of character, even as a small child;
he was quiet and refined; these traits he inherited from his mother, whose soft
black eyes seemed ever moist with unshed tears, as if nature had forecast in
her features the tragic fate of her first born, whom she so idolized.

After completing such education as was afforded in their home community,
then a boy of nineteen, the stern father thought the time had arrived for his
son to be sent elsewhere to complete his education. Talking the matter over
with his ever-wise wife, they decided that Sam should be sent to the Military
Academy at Nashville under the able management of Bushrod R. Johnson
(later Brig-Genl. in the Confederate Army, who commanded Buckner’s division)
and Kirby Smith (later General in the Confederate Army and active at Cum¬
berland Gap and in the Kentucky campaign).

This school, although having gone through some trials and tribulations, was
the oldest in Middle Tennessee. The Military Academy had originated with
the University of Nashville during the pioneer days, when General James
Robertson was representing the new County of Davidson in the Legislature of
North Carolina. General Robertson had formed an idea of establishing an
Academy at Nashville and while attending the Legislature made the acquaint¬
ance of the Rev. Thomas B. Craighead, a Presbyterian Clergyman and teacher
of excellent qualifications, whom he interested in the scheme. In December,
1785, they procured the passage of a bill by the Legislature of North Caro¬
lina entitled, “An act for the Promotion of Learning in Davidson County.”

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

This was the original act which laid the foundation for an institution of learn¬
ing at Nashville known first as Davidson Academy, then as Cumberland
College, and lastly as the University of Nashville. The conversion of the
Academy into a College was brought about by a petition to the Legislature on
July 19, 1806.

By an act of Congress passed in April, the State of Tennessee was authorized
to issue and perfect title to certain lands therein mentioned and the General
Assembly of the State, by an act to establish a college in West Tennessee in¬
corporated a body of nineteen trustees, placing Rev. Thomas B. Craighead, as
the first named in the list. “By the name of the trustees of Davidson College.”

Rev. Mr. Craighead served as President of the College two years and three
months or until October 24, 1809, when Dr. James Priestly was unanimously
elected and took his seat as President of the Board of Trustees, January 30, 1810.

The progress of Davidson Academy is a matter of especial interest to Nash¬
ville. As the impretending Academy and as Davidson College under Craighead,
as the more ambitious Cumberland College under the wise management of Dr.
Priestly it grew with the progress of society and gave form, tone, cohesion,
lustre, and the means of nobler growth to the society around it.

The college was revived and reorganized at the close of 1824.

In 1850 after having passed through a career of brillant prosperity, the
university was compelled to suspend its work for want of funds. At this
period a few distinguished gentlemen of the medical profession, organized the
Medical Department of the University of Nashville and then the buildings were
used for that purpose.

The buildings for the Literary Department were erected, 1853-4, a short
distance from the old college.

The Literary Department was again opened in 1855 and General Bushrod
R. Johnson made superintendent. It was conducted on the military plan until
the breaking out of the Civil War (War Between the States) when the buildings
were used as a hospital.

After the war the trustees of the University located the Montgomery Bell
Academy in the buildings of the Literary Department of the University. The
funds for this were derived from a bequest of twenty thousand dollars by the
then late Montgomery Bell, a man whose name is inseparably connected with
the development of the iron interests of the state, and who had the honor of
furnishing to General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans all the
cannon balls used in that famous conflict.

Sam Davis, therefore, was entered upon the rolls of the most distinctive
institution of learning in Middle Tennessee. Sam left home in the early fall
of 1860 to embark upon the ship of education. He soon became a favorite at
the Academy. His teachers found in him the elements of an excellent student;
his schoolmates found a true, trustworthy friend. Young Sam had an attitude
of directness of purpose and fine sense of honor, two outstanding traits which
bound him to all who knew him. In later years his schoolmates spoke en¬
dearingly of him: “He was a friend and could be trusted implicitly.”

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

— S)ain 2)ai/id JJc

ome

Enters the Confederacy

Before the end of the school term in April, 1861, were heard the thud of
soldiers, the rumble of the drums, through the land.

Mr. Lincoln had been inaugurated President on March 4, 1861; affairs in
the Nation’s Capitol were in a turmoil; there was talk of Southern Independence;
Centralization and States Rights; Slavery Recognition by the Constitution.
These outcries, especially that of the slavery question, had made the Southern
people consider the subject, and they had reached the deliberate conclusion
that it was not contrary to the law of God. Mr. Lincoln himself was, in the
beginning, averse to having the question of slavery considered as one of
superior importance among the causes of the War. He admitted that the right
to hold slaves was expressly guaranteed by the Constitution, which he declared
himself most anxious to uphold. Later on he proclaimed the emancipation
had become ‘"a military necessity” on which ground he proceeded to act.

Not so much to preserve or extend slavery, nor to have more power to
reclaim their fugitive slaves — which must be more difficult to do from a foreign
country than from sister states — did the Southern States secede from the Union.
They took the momentous step, because for years they had striven in vain to
secure and maintain the rights assured to them under the Constitution. The
Northern States had taken their stand against the equal rights of all the states in
the possession of the Territories. They were not shaken in their opposition by
the decision of the Supreme Court against them, and proceeded to manifest
their utter disregard of it or anything contrary to their determination to control
the government according to their own will. The election of Mr. Lincoln by a
party, formed on the ground of hostility to them, brought these differences to
a crisis, and the South took her affairs into her own hands and left the Union.
Even her enemies are constrained to acknowledge that the rights she claimed
were hers under the Constitution and to justify their own action by an appeal
to what they call “the Higher Law.”

In April, Mr. Lincoln calling upon the several states to furnish 75,000
troops, “to suppress combinations in the seceded states too powerful for the
law to contend with” thus, broke out what is more often termed in history as
the “Civil War” or the “War Between the States,” which lasted from 1861 to
1865. The two factions being designated in terms of the “Federals” meaning
the Northern States, and the “Confederates” a term used by the Southern States.

In April, 1861, when the outburst came, young Sam Davis, barely twenty
years of age, felt the call to duty. Being descended from men of valor and
courage it is no wonder that he immediately answered by joining the Con¬
federacy, attached to the Rutherford Rifles, recruited in Rutherford County,
under Capt. Ledbetter of Murfreesboro, which became Company I, of the
First Tennessee Infantry, commanded by Colonel George Maney, in the early
days of the conflict, being among the first to Volunteer.

His father, then beyond the age to endure war hardships, sent Sam away
with his blessings. His mother, although with a heavy heart and a lump in her
throat, encouraged the vigorous lad as he entered upon the final chapter of his
career.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero 17

The regiment was in camp for some months, being trained in discipline and
the duties of the service, and was then ordered to Virginia.

In the mountains of West Virginia, under that matchless leader, General
Robert E. Lee, Sam Davis had his baptism of war, his command, in the sum¬
mer and fall of 1861, taking part in that unsuccessful campaign to hold the
western area of the Old Diminion.

Life in the Alleganies was delightful until the fall passed into winter, the
rain, the cold and the snow, with the Soldiers from the South clad in clothing
suitable only to a Southern climate. With General Lee they fought at “Cheat
Mountain'5 and against “Big Sewell Mountain,” also several severe skirmishes.

Later in December the Lirst Tennessee was ordered to “Stonewall” Jackson
(General T. J. Jackson) at Winchester, in the Virginia Valley, which he was
ordered to defend against the Lederal advance from the north and west, and
on “Christmas Day” of 1861, Sam Davis and his comrades tramped down the
valley turnpike through Virginia snow and bitter cold to join the new Com¬
mander.

Under the command of Jackson, in January, 1862, they made the advance on
Bath and Romney, suffering severely from the blizzard weather of sleet and
snow, but their endurances embursed, by the enemy being driven across the
Potomac to a refuge in Maryland.

This was the beginning of the year 1862. Jackson advanced from Win¬
chester to the north and northwest. The ice and snow covered rocky roads
cutting their feet; never hesitating they trudged onward. But, knowing that
on account of the difficulty of moving an army he would not be expected,
Jackson began the series of rapid marches which afterwards gave his soldiers
the title of “Loot Cavalry.” He first moved to the Potomac where he de¬
stroyed some dams of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, tore up the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad, and so frightened the people of Maryland with a threat
of invasion that reinforcements were speedily sent to oppose him. Having
accomplished his object, Jackson moved in the night, turned his course west¬
ward, and, crossing two mountain ranges, struck the Lederal camp at Romney
and drove all the enemy from that region, making some important captures.
He then returned to Winchester with his soldiers in fine spirits, notwithstanding
the hardships of their brief campaign, their suffering from hunger and cold,
and their frost-bitten ears, fingers and toes.

Then came the word of the disasters in Tennessee. Port Henry and Port
Donelson, on the Tennessee River, fell into the hands of the enemy, thus open¬
ing the middle section of the state to the occupancy of the Lederal troops.

At the same time the affairs in Western Kentucky went badly for the
Southern cause. General Polk still held control of the Mississippi River from
his strong position at Columbus; General Albert Sidney Johnston, commander
of all the Confederate forces in the West, had his headquarters at Bowling
Green. Between him and Polk ran the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. The
Lederals held the mouths of these rivers, and had collected a fleet of ironclad
gunboats and transports for troops, with which ihey hoped to penetrate the
heart of the Confederacy. To prevent this, Port Henry had been built on the

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

I o
Lo

eastern bank of the Tennessee River, and Fort Donelson on the western bank of
the Cumberland, in Tennessee, just below the Kentucky line, where the rivers
are not more than twelve miles apart. Both were earthworks pretty strong on
the water front but weak on the land side. Fort Henry was much the smaller,
and was held by about 2,200 men with seventeen cannons.

On February 6th, Commodore Foote with seven gunboats steamed up the
Tennessee and attacked Fort Henry. The torpedoes placed in the stream, on
which the Confederates had relied to destroy the Federal fleet, proved defective.
The gunboats halted at a convenient distance and poured a storm of cannon
shot and shell into the fort. Several of the larger guns defending it burst, and
General Tilghman found it impossible to continue the fight. The attacking
land forces which were expected to cooperate with the gunboats could not do
so on account of swollen creeks, and most of the garrison made its escape to Fort
Donelson before General Tilghman lowered his flag and surrendered himself
and sixty men. The opening of the Tennessee River was a tremendous blow
to the South. Several of the gunboats proceeded up the river as far as Florence,
Alabama, destroying bridges and Confederate property, and making it clear
that the way would soon be open for the advance of the Union Army into the
Gulf States.

Nashville, Tennessee, was of vast importance to the Confederates, for
valuable stores of all sorts had been collected there. Its capture would be
disastrous to them and of great encouragement to the Union cause. But,
before that, Fort Donelson must be overcome. General Albert Sidney John¬
ston was, therefore, most anxious to hold it, and sent thither reinforcements
to the number of 14,000 under Generals E. B. Buckner, Pillow, and Floyd, the
last having brought his force from western Virginia, after finding himself
unable to hold out against General Rosecrans. Fort Donelson was much
larger and stronger than Fort Henry, and was well defended by earthworks
and heavy batteries. On the land side there was also, at some distance, an
encircling line of breastworks and rifle-pits, the interval between them and the
fort being made difficult with an abatis — forest trees cut down and falling one
upon another with their branches pointing outward. Against this strong
position General Ulysses Simpson Grant moved, on February 12th, with some
17,000 men. He found it too formidable to be taken by assault, and waited
during the 13th for reinforcements, and the cooperation of the gunboats, but
kept up a harassing and destructive artillery fire in the meantime, the sharp¬
shooters on both sides picking off every man they could reach. Late in the day,
an attempt was made to capture the batteries on the extremities of the line,
which was defeated by the Confederates with heavy Union loss. The weather
now became very cold, and a severe storm of snow and sleet set in. The
soldiers on both sides suffered greatly from exposure, and many of the
wounded were frozen to death during the night.

On the 14th, the Federal reinforcements and gunboats both reached the
scene of action. The fort was invested, and an attack by the fleet was first
determined upon. The Confederate water batteries were powerful and ably
served, and they beat off the gunboats in an hour and a half, striking them one
hundred and fifty times and severely wounding Commodore Foote. Assaults

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

on the breastworks were also repulsed, and General Grant seemed no nearer
success than before. But the Confederate commanders knew that it would be
impossible for them to maintain their position long against the heavy force
which could be brought to attack them, both on the river and the land. Floyd,
the ranking officer, thought it their way to Nashville. They held a council on
the night of the 14th, at which they adopted a plan.

At early dawn of the 15th, Pillow s men and Forrest s cavalry advanced
upon McClernand, who held the Federal right and the principal road to Nash¬
ville. Buckner moved from their left and also attacked the Federal centre.
The fighting was gallant on both sides, but inch by inch, the Northern line was
forced back. By nine o’clock their whole right wing was driven from its
position, and the road to Nashville was cleared.

Fresh troops of General Lew Wallace came to the aid of McClernand’s
forces, and General Grant, who had gone to consult with Foote on his vessel,
returned to the field, took command and ordered an advance all along his line.
In this second encounter of the troops, the superior numbers of the besiegers
proved the stronger; Smith, on their left, carried the breastworks in his front,
and the Confederates were driven back to the shelter of their works. Again,
a night of intense cold; both sides slept on their arms, and suffered from cold,
hunger and fatigue. General Grant determined to renew the assault on the
next morning, Sunday, the 16th.

Floyd thought it necessary, but, determined to save himself and his Vir¬
ginia brigade, turned over the command to Pillow, and crossing the river in
the darkness, made his escape with his command. Pillow followed his example.
Forrest’s cavalry also moved off during the night, General Buckner upon whom
the responsibility devolved by his superior officers deserting their posts, felt
that he could no longer hold his beleaguered position; and before the Federal
attack could be renewed, on the morning of the 16th, he sent a flag of truce to
General Grant, asking what terms of surrender would be accorded the garrison.
To this Grant replied that “Unconditional surrender” alone would prevent a
re-opening of the fight. Buckner was forced to submit to this demand, and
Donelson with from 10,000 to 14,000 prisoners, all the guns, several thousand
horses and considerable stores, passed into Grant’s hands.

About this time reinforcements were needed to help drive out the invaders,
and the First Tennessee was called back to its native soil. Young Sam Davis
tired and worn from battle, stuck to his duty and when the First Tennessee
was rushed to Corinth, Mississippi, to join the Confederate forces concentrated
there, he was with them.

By April 3rd, General Grant with 38,000 troops was well posted at Pitts¬
burg Landing on the south bank of the Tennessee River, where they were
protected by their gunboats. General Buell was known to be coming to join
Grant with a force equal to his own. General Johnston determined to attack
Grant on the early morning of the 5th. General Pierre Gustave Toutant
Beauregard, a Frenchman from Louisiana, was second in command, while the
army corps were led by Generals Braxton, Bragg, William J. Hardee, Leonidas
Polk of Louisiana, and Breckinridge of Kentucky.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

Heavy rains swelled the streams and made the marching so difficult that the
attacking forces could not get into positions until the night of the 5th. On the
morning of the 6th, the Confederate army moved upon General Grant and his
subordinate generals, Sherman, McClernand, Hurlbut, Prentiss, and W. H. L.
Wallace, who held positions around Shiloh Church. The front line was soon
carried. Prentiss with 3,000 men was captured, General W. H. L. Wallace was
killed, and the Confederates everywhere pressed back the Federals, notwith¬
standing a stout resistance. By two o’clock the victory seemed assured, but at
this important moment, General A. S. Johnston, of Texas, who had exposed
himself constantly in the hottest part of the fight, was struck in the thigh with
a minie-ball while leading his troops. A great artery was cut. There was no
surgeon near, and the gallant soldier was lifted from his horse and carried to
the shelter of a ravine where he died in a little while. His loss was irretrievable
to the Army of the South. The Southern troops were kept in ignorance of the
death of the commander in whom they had the greatest confidence, and General
Beauregard, of Louisiana, for a while carried on the contest, but he was sick
and could not press his advantage to the utmost before his enemy could receive
reinforcements. The Federals had been driven to the bank of the river and the
shelter of their gunboats; but there was still an hour of daylight, the Southern
army was flushed with victory, and only another vigorous assault upon the
demoralized enemy was necessary to drive him into the water to compel him to
surrender. At this time, when absolute victory seemed within the Confederate
grasp, the gunboats opend fire with cannon shot and shell. The Confederates
were sheltered from this bv the height of the bluff, and became less and less
exposed as they neared the enemy; but Beauregard took the position that his
men were in an exhausted condition, and exposed to murderous fire, and
ordered them to be withdrawn from the field. They had captured most of
Grant’s artillery, a number of flags, and thousands of prisoners, and they oc¬
cupied the camp from which the Federals had been driven. On the strength of
this, Beauregard telegraphed to Richmond that he had “gained a complete
victory.” During the night Buell came up with as many fresh troops as the
Southern army contained, so that he outnumbered them nearly two to one.
The fight was renewed by an attack upon the Southerners, who were gradually
driven from the position they had taken the day before to their original place.
This was the bloodiest battle that had yet been fought. The Confederates lost
10,699 men, and the Federals 13,573.

Less than twelve months, after Sam Davis entered service, the young Ten¬
nessee Soldier had served under four of the ablest generals of the Confederacy,
and such examples of the highest type of soldier well may have inspired the
boy to emulate their patriotic devotion.

From time to time good reports of the bravery of the boy reached his home.

Joins the Scouts

After General Braxton Bragg was placed in command of the Army of
Tennessee, operating in territory overrun by the enemy, a company of scouts
was organized to be the “eyes and ears” of the army in discovering plans of the
Federals. These men were selected for their known loyalty and courage, and
Sam Davis, notwithstanding his youth, was chosen as one of the number because
of “his coolness and daring and power of endurance.”

This news reached his home in the autumn of 1863. It was received with a
silent smile yet a prayer unheard, for his safety, by his mother who did not have
to be told that her son was all that her heart wanted him to be, courageous
and discrete.

These scouts were commanded by Captain H. B. Shaw, but were designated
as “Coleman’s Scouts,” for Captain Shaw had assumed that name to hide his
real identity, as his operations were within the enemy lines; ordinarily he
posed as an itinerant doctor, but to Confederate officials and to his scouts he
^ was known as “Captain E. Coleman, Commander of Scouts.” All communica¬
tions to and from him were so addressed and signed, in order that he might be
protected should any of the papers fall into the hands of the enemy. Through
this disguise his life was saved.

The scouts worked more or less openly since they wore their Confederate
uniforms and were never disguised. They could not stay or safely stop at their
homes in the territory, but had to get needed rest and sleep in thickets or other
hiding places, where friends and relatives would visit them with food and
clothing, and often report information of great value as to the enemy. The
danger was great and outnumbered the possibilities of good luck so greatly
that they dared not be seen for fear of being reported on by the slaves or
“home-made Yankees.” Especially helpful in every way were their brave
women friends.

Capt. Shaw, disguised as a wandering herb doctor, and using the assumed
name of E. Coleman, operated unsuspected through the country surrounding
Nashville, Franklin, Columbia, Smyrna, Murfreesboro, Pulaski and other
Tennessee towns then in possession of the Federals. The private scouts, not
like Coleman or Shaw, were not supplied with any disguise and wore “the
gray” with daring pride even when operating inside the Federal lines.

In the fall of 1863, Davis and five other scouts were detailed to get positive
information as to the plan of action of General Grant's army in Tennessee.
They were not to fail; the information must be had at any cost. The assign¬
ment was a perilous one. The sight of “the gray” meant only one thing, an
attack by overwhelming numbers. Young Davis well knew the spot he was
placed in, but he did not falter; he entered this service without fear or hesita¬
tion.

During the same time General G. M. Dodge, U. S. A., was moving his 16th
Army Corps, from Corinth, Mississippi, to reinforce General Grant at Chatta¬
nooga, and had reached Pulaski on the way. For some reason he thought fit
to fortify the place. General Bragg was, of course, on the alert to intercept

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

the juncture of Federal troops, and the Confederate scouts were particularily
keen “eyes and ears” in reporting their every move. Their activity and alert¬
ness in learning the secrets of the Federal operations became most irritating,
and General Dodge ordered his men to wipe out the band if possible.

The 7th Kansas Cavalry, called “Jay Hawkers,” were scouting the country
in this effort and captured a number of the scouts.

Having learned that information was seemingly leaking into the hands of
the enemy, General Dodge was especially anxious to capture their leader. The
General knew that such information could be obtained only through a traitor
in his official household, and he set out to find that traitor.

All this time the scouts continued to have the dangers, which grew more
and more hazardous as the enemy pressed them closely.

Since Sam Davis had been given a place of peculiar difficulty and re¬
sponsibility, having been chosen by his captain who knew the lad “had learned
as a boy and soldier to fear nothing and to obey orders, and his known courage
and winning personality fitted him for the dangers and difficulties of his
position.” The Feclerals knowing of the fearless scouts and their operations
in the vicinity, became more and more alert and eager to destroy the band
which watched their every movement and reported it to their general, therefore,
the life of a scout hung on a slender thread, for they were considered as spies.
Sam Davis found many and dangerous encounters with the enemy but was
fortunate in escaping capture or death, the fate of many of his comrades, until
that fatal day in November, 1863.

Visits Home

While engaged on his dangerous mission he found himself in the vicinity of
Smyrna, and overcome with the nearness to home, and the desire to see the
home folks, he decided to slip into the house at the first opportunity, no matter
the great risk of being captured.

At that very moment he had in his possession papers, which he well knew
would mean his death, if captured. He knew that he would be at the mercy
of his foes should he be discovered.

Yes, he had credentials, his pass read as follows:

“Headquarters General Bragg’s Scouts,
Middle Tennessee, Sept. 25, 1863.

Samuel Davis has permission to pass on scouting duty any where in Middle
Tennessee or north of the Tennessee River he may think proper.

By order of General Bragg,

E. Coleman, Commanding Scouts.”

With caution Davis approached his home one night in November, 1863;
gently tapped on the window. Those ever watching and listening within under¬
stood. Softly the door opened and he was clasped in the arms of his dear
mother; his head on her bosom, he surveyed the familiar family room, mean¬
while talking in very low tone in order not to attract attention or create undue
excitement from the younger children, already retired for the night. Young
Sam was so happy to see his mother’s sweet smile and understanding expres¬
sion once again.

Sam’s home, unlike many an old Southern house, was a large two-storied
frame building with broad verandas on the sides and a typical front with mas¬
sive columns. To the west flow the blue waters of Stewart’s Creek, which a
mile or so further down empties into Stones River. The history of the village
of old Jefferson is pregnant with events associated with the lives of men who
afterwards attained national prominence in war and affairs of state. No doubt,
Davis, while passing a glance about the familiar room in which he stood, could
hear the echo, as he had heard as a small boy, the deeds and actions of those
recounted at the village stores and then determined that life to him should not
move in the narrow circle of rural quietude and inaction.

While he was resting in the arms of his mother in the quiet and still of the
night, young Davis knew that he must be going on to his destination and duty.
His two young sisters supposedly asleep, were watching out of the corner of an
eye, with ears perked on every word, though they understood little of what was
said. He arose to leave, turned and bent above the low bed as he said im¬
pulsively: “Mother, I must look at the children.” “Sh-h! Be careful,”
whispered Mrs. Davis, in terror lest the little ones should learn of their
brother’s return and by some incautious word to the servants be the means of
betraying him to the Federals. She was nervously alarmed, therefore, when
Sam’s dark head bent still lower to snatch a kiss from the lips of each childish
slumberer. The one who feigned sleep, battling with her longing to throw her
arms around her soldier brother’s neck, managed still to keep quiet while he

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

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Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

was hurried from the room by the apprehensive mother, who sped him on his
errand and danger, once more with a fervid "'God Bless My Son.""

During these few brief moments, telling his mother he must hurry to secure
some valuable papers awaiting him, Davis left his Smyrna home to return
shortly.

The papers in hand, he returned home to get the overcoat which his mother
had dyed during his absence, and a pair of boots which had been repaired by
his father, the kind of boots worn by both civilians and soldiers, in general use
until the later eighties. His saddle pockets were filled with food (possibly
Tennessee country ham) to sustain him on his return journey to Alabama.

Clad in the blue Federal overcoat dyed with the only coloring available at
the time — the hulls of the butternut, or white walnut, which abounded in
Tennessee — Davis again said “good-bye” to the mother and father he
cherished for the last time, and headed for the rendezvous with other members
of Coleman’s scouts, at or near Pulaski, Giles County, Tennessee.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

' V

/ \

/ '

The Papers and the Capture

It was agreed that all should leave for Alabama on Friday night, November
19th, each man for himself. It was at this rendezvous that Shaw (Coleman)
gave Davis a letter he had written to the provost marshal of the Confederate
Army of Tennessee. He also, gave him seven Nashville, three Louisville, and
one Cincinnati newspapers, some toilet articles and two small blank books for
General Bragg, after which Davis and some comrades started to Decatur, Ala¬
bama, there to take the “scout line” to Bragg’s headquarters. Captain Cole¬
man had committed to his care certain papers giving late and important news
to General Bragg.

The scattered scouts set out. Sam Davis was captured at Minor Hill, Giles
County, Tennessee, on the Lamb’s Ferry Road, the next day — November 20th.
Captain Shaw, Joshua Brown and W. J. Moore, three others of the band, were
all captured that day or the following day at separate places. They were in-
^ carcerated in the jail at Pulaski with Sam Davis.

At the Tennessee River they had encountered the “Jayhawkers"' by whom
they were captured. His captors knew that he was a member of Coleman’s
Scouts.

Brown had counted every infantry regiment and piece of artillery in the
Sixteenth Corps and committed the information to memory, for he knew there
was danger before he could cross the Tennessee River. Brown, who was a
successful broker in New York after the war, talked with Davis in the jail.
He says, over his own signature, that Shaw gave Davis the papers near Nash¬
ville and that the only paper of any value that came from Pulaski was Shaw’s
letter dated November 18th.

Sam Davis, his commander, Capt. H. B. Shaw (E. Coleman) and others
of the detachment of Bragg’s scouts had had a very successful but very
hazardous sojourn in Middle Tennessee. They had watched General G. M.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

Dodge’s command of the Union Army, a part of the Sixteenth Corps, march
from Corinth, Mississippi, to Pulaski, Tennessee, and had accurate information
as to the strength of the Federal forces in Tennessee, their movements and
description of the work at Nashville and other points. The Scouts had agreed
to begin their journey to rejoin Bragg’s Army on the night of November 19th.

Among Davis’ papers are said to have been one showing accurately the
numbers and disposition of the federal troops in Tennessee north of Duck
River, because General Rousseau’s authority extended only to Duck River.
This information may have come from some federal officer, but there is nothing
but hearsay to support this statement, and there is direct and positive evidence
that the papers were handed to Davis by his chief, Capt. H. B. Shaw, whose use
of a nom-de-guerre, Capt. E. Coleman, was to save his life when he was
captured. Some writers have made the statement that Davis obtained the
papers in or near Nashville, but no supporting evidence has been found,
except the story of Mr. Joe Smith, given elsewhere in this story.

One can imagine the earnest whispered conversations among Shaw, Brown,
Moore and Davis in the jail at Pulaski. Brown says, Davis told of the papers
found on him and in his saddle seat and of Shaw’s letter and the newspapers
found in his boots. He also says that Davis was dressed in a dark blue Federal
> army overcoat which had been dyed brown, such as many Confederates had
captured and converted to their use. After the war, Brown, made a thorough
study of the affair, receiving the assistance of General Dodge, saying that he
thought Davis had on a gray uniform, under the captured overcoat. General
Dodge, however, writing forty-three years after the event, says that Davis wore
a faded blue coat, army boots and a black hat.

Articles in early 1870’s in the Nashville Union American , daily newspaper,
and in the “Annals of the Army of Tennessee” by Col. J. B. Killebrew, an
accurate historian, who had the benefit of information from a number of
residents of Pulaski who were there when Davis was executed, say that Davis
wore no disguise.

Upon reaching Pulaski, Davis was questioned by Dodge’s provost marshal,
Captain W. F. Armstrong, who, gaining no information, sent him to the general’s
headquarters at once.

The general and the scout had another interview the next morning in which
the former told the boy soldier that the charge against him, of being a spy
was very serious, that he had obtained possession of very accurate information
of the Federal Army and he (Dodge) must know how he obtained it.

\ oung Davis realized the seriousness of the situation but he declared he was
willing to take the consequences. General Dodge insisted on knowing the name
of the person from whom he had gotten the information expressing the belief
that it must have come from one near headquarters, or one who had the con¬
fidence of his staff. A refusal to give the name, General Dodge said, would
necessitate the calling of a court-martial and from the proof in the commanders
hands there could be but one verdict — DEATH.

1 he young soldier resolutely refused to tell the source of the information.
The court-martial was forthwith called.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

On July 22, 1926, the citizens of Giles County, aided by a contribution of
$2,500 by the State Monument Commission of Tennessee, erected a marble
tablet marking the spot where Sam Davis, the Confederate Hero, was captured
in 1863. This is located near Minor Hill in Giles County, Tennessee, about
fourteen miles southwest of Pulaski.

Possibly the best information regarding the documents carried by Davis
from Nashville, came to light in an article by Christine Sadler, published in
the Nashville Banner, of March 13, 1932, which reads as follows:

“Out of the Southland — region of poetry and song, though it is — have come
no more stirringly beautiful words than those immortalized by the youthful
martyr, Sam Davis, when he declared at Pulaski in 1863, ‘I would die a thou¬
sand deaths before I would betray a friend or be false to a duty.’

“As Nathan Hale’s T regret that I have but one life to lose for my country’
typifies American patriotism at one of its most ardent moments, so do these
words typify Confederate loyalty at its best — -the loyalty which wrote itself in
four years’ of bloodshed, and the same loyalty which beat strong in Dixie’s
heart long after the last wavering gray line had disappeared.

“For any friend it would have been the same with Sam Davis, and with
other Southerners. So much was this loyalty expected and accepted that in this
instance historians have never concerned themselves so much with where the
boy hero of the Confederacy obtained the papers which Kansas Jayhawkers
tore from the soles of his boots and took from the seat of his saddle — papers
for the possession of which the .young soldier was hanged as a spy.

“Unwritten History — The principal part of the Sam Davis story would re¬
main the same in any instance, and whispered tales of how information traveled
from Federal to Confederate lines were not whispered so loudly during years
of the reconstruction. Some there were who would not tell, could not. Con¬
federate veterans had more important things to attend to, and soldiers fresh
from battle are never exceedingly talkative.

“It is not surprising, then, that some of our best Confederate stories and
charming bits of history remain unwritten. When the first connected and
straight-running story of the unhappy Confederacy was published in 1931, the
big surprise was that no one had done it before. Southerners, it seems, have
taken their history much for granted and supposed that others knew their
stories.

“And so one is not completely astonished when he learns that ‘Uncle Joe’
Smith, eighty-eight years old, Confederate veteran, has carried around under
his hat for many years the story of where Sam Davis came to secure the Yankee
engineer’s plans which were responsible for his early death — a story which is
interesting enough within itself but which leads into one of the most over¬
looked and thrillingly dramatic phases of the entire conflict.

“This phase deals with the story of how a group of Confederate women in
Middle Tennessee rendered the Confederacy an invaluable spying service, and
centers around the beautiful Sally Carter of Franklin — woman superb, who
was able to match her brains with her charm, who sold $199,000 worth of cotton
from two Louisiana plantations when the majority of Southern planters were

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

burning their crops rather than see them pass into the hands of the Federals,
who obtained 500 barrels of contraband salt for the Confederacy, and who
warned the Confederacy that the Federals were marching on Murfreesboro.

“PAPERS ENTRUSTED— That Sally Carter should deliver a Yankee’s
plans into the hands of someone to give to Sam Davis, the best known of Cole¬
man's scouts, would then have been no stirringly different event. Mrs. Carter
had accomplished deeds requiring more ability and she was yet to help in the
Battle of Franklin.

“George Lumsden, Nashville merchant, who ran a leather business on
Second Avenue, was the man to whom the papers were entrusted second,
according to Mr. Smith, who lived for many years on a farm adjoining the
Lumsden farm about fifteen miles from Nashville on the Hillsboro Road.

“Mr. Lumsden was permitted by the Federals to travel between his business
in town and his plantation in the country. Sam Davis, according to the story,
came to his home for the plans. ‘Mr. Lumsden was carrying the paper in his
pocket when he saw a bunch of Federal cavalry coming.’ Mr. Smith said.
‘He was overseering some fence changing on his place, and although he car¬
ried the Federal pass he knew he could be searched. Quickly and uncon¬
cernedly he dropped the paper over the fence — afraid to look back lest his
action be noticed.’

“When the cavalrymen found no papers on Mr. Lumsden, he engaged them
in conversation and guided them away from the place where the paper was
hidden by telling them that the best road led on the other side of the house,
according to the story Mr. Lumsden told Mr. Smith some years after the war
was over.

“Mr. Smith said that it was generally known among the soldiers that Sally
Carter was a spy and that there were two other women who helped her. He
has always thought that one of these women lived in Pulaski and the other in
Nashville, although he is now unable to recall the names of the other two.
According to Franklin residents, Mrs. Carter’s closest allies were two other
Franklin women. The daughter of Mrs. Carter, Mrs. R. N. Richardson, now
lives in Franklin in the home which her mother bought during the Civil War.
The fame of Sam Davis has grown with the years. The monument to him on
the Capitol grounds was not erected until the early years of the twentieth
century and his home has been a state shrine only since 1930.

“MURFREESBORO WARNING — Mrs. Richardson has heard her mother
recall many incidents in her colorful life. Concerning the Murfreesboro
warning, she said:

“ ‘My mother and one of her friends were going into Nashville. Everyone
told them they must not mention the fact that Colonel Smith had a regiment
of Confederate soldiers stationed here in Franklin. The girl with my mother,
though, took great pains to remark time and again to her friends that Franklin
was just overrun with soldiers. But when my mother was questioned she de¬
clared there were none. The Federals arrested her and would have put her in
prison, but she sent for her cousin, William Campbell, who had been Governor
and who was a Federal sympathizer. She made him secure her release.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

“ ‘Then, my mother told her cousin that she must get back to Franklin as
had been planned, but the cousin said it was impossible. My mother told him
she must get back to her four children. He told her that even he could not
get out of Nashville that day — that the Federals were preparing to march on
Murfreesboro. Well, my mother did get out. She hired a boy to drive her
and brought him home by ways she knew through the country. When she
arrived she sent my brother with a note to Colonel Smith and when the Federals
came looking for the regiment, they were already in Murfreesboro.’

“MARRIED THREE TIMES — Mrs. Carter, who was born Sarah Ewing,
was married three times. Mrs. Richardson is her daughter by her first mar¬
riage, to Boyd McNairy Sims. Joseph W. Carter, the second husband, was
dead when the Civil War was fought. After the war Mrs. Carter married Judge
John C. Gaut.

“Perhaps the most remarkable story about Sally Carter relates to her selling
two cotton crops from the two plantations which Mrs. Adelicia Acklen — who
lived in the beautiful home, Belmont — owned in Louisiana. It is said that
Mrs. Acklen bought beautiful dresses for the occasion. She was a cousin of
Sally Carter and while a very charming woman she was said not to have had
the vivacious magnetism of the lovely Sally.

“Mrs. Carter’s four children had to be sent away from home. The two
little boys went to stay with relatives in Lebanon and the two girls were brought
to Belmont. The intrepid women planned to be away from Nashville about
six weeks. They were gone eight months.

“Addie was delicate. My mother drove a mule all up and down the lines,
interviewing both Confederate and Federal Generals. From the Federals she
obtained permission to ship the cotton from the plantation, providing it was
not sold to the Confederacy. She sold it to English merchants for $199,000
through New Orleans and they came home by boat by way of New York, she
said.

“In the home where Mrs. Richardson lives Mrs. Carter helped an army
surgeon amputate the leg of Captain Hickey of Missouri, after the battle of
Franklin. Mrs. Richardson said, ‘She was beautiful but she was not afraid
when things had to be done and there was no one else to do them.’

“Mrs. Gaut never stopped her patriotic work. She helped organize a
U.D.C. chapter in Franklin and was one of the leading figures in securing the
Confederate monument for the Franklin Square.

“ ‘Uncle Joe’ said that he did not recall ever talking to Sam Davis but that
he knew him by sight and reputation. The veteran belonged to the Twentieth
Tennessee Regiment and fought in all his company’s battles except those after
Franklin. He was wounded twice at Shiloh, once at Chickamauga, once at
Peach Tree, and four times at Franklin. He remembers Beauregard as ‘a little
Frenchman who looked like a little monkey perched on horseback.’ On May
25, he will be eighty-nine years of age. He lives with a daughter, Mrs. R. J.
Hoskins. His other daughter, Mrs. J. W. Hoskins, lives at Wales Station.”

The Trial

General Dodge directed that a military commission be convened November
23rd, or as soon thereafter as practicable, composed of three members and a
judge-advocate, all officers of Volunteers, to try Sam Davis.

In a letter written by General Dodge, to General J. F. Thompson at Griffin,
Georgia, February 27, 1911, is the following: “Headquarters Lft. Wing. 16th
A.C. Pulaski, Tennessee. November 20, 1863, General Orders No. 720. A
Military Commission is hereby appointed to meet at Pulaski, Tennessee, on the
23rd, or as soon there-after as practicable for the trial of Sam Davis and such
other persons as may be brought before it. Detailed for the Commission:
1. Col. Madison Miller, 18th Missouri Infantry Volunteers. 2. Lt. Col. Thomas
W. Gaines, 50th Missouri Infantry Volunteers. 3. Major Lathrop, 39th Ohio
Volunteer Infantry. 4. Capt. George A. Elliott, 39th Iowa Infantry Volunteers,
Judge Advocate.

“The commission will sit without regard to hours. By order of Brig. Gen.
G. M. Dodge, J. W. Barnes, Lt. and A.A.A.G. Brig. General T. W. Sweeney,
commander 2nd Division will cause the necessary arrangements to be made to
carry out this order in the proper manner.”

In another letter from General Dodge, to the “Confederate Veteran,” the
story of Davis is presented as follows: “Davis was a fine-looking soldierly
young man, dressed in a faded blue Federal coat, an armv soft hat and top
boots; he had a fresh open face, which was inclined to brightness; in all things
he showed himself the true soldier; it was known by all the command that I
desired to save him. ... I was very anxious to capture Coleman and break up
his command. I had Davis brought before me. His captors knew that he was
a member of Coleman’s Scouts, and I knew what was found upon him and
desired to locate Coleman and ascertain if possible who was furnishing him
with information so accurate and valuable to General Bragg. Davis met me
modestly, I tried to impress upon him the danger he was in as only a mes¬
senger, I held out to him the hope of lenient treatment if he would answer
truthfully my questions. I informed him that he would be tried as a spy and
the evidence would surely convict him and I made a direct appeal to him to give
me the information I knew he had. He very quietly but firmly refused to do it.
I pleaded with him with all the power I possessed to give me some chance to
save his life. I discovered that he was a most admirable young fellow with
the highest character and strictest integrity. He replied ‘I know, General,' that
I will have to die, but I will not tell where I got the information, and there is
no power on earth than can make me tell, I am doing my duty as a soldier,
and if I have to die I shall be doing my duty to God and my country’.”

In the face of such firmness it seemed that nothing; more could be done.
The military commission was convened within three days, the trial held.

The charges and specifications were as follows:

“Charge 1. Being a spy.”

“Specifications: Is this, that he Samuel Davis of Coleman’s Scouts, in the
service of the so-called Confederate States, did come within the lines of the

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero 33

United States forces in Middle Tennessee, for the purpose of secretly gaining
information concerning these forces and conveying the same to the enemy;
and was arrested within said lines on or about November 20, 1863. This in
Giles County, Tennessee.”

Charge 2: Being a carrier of mails, communications and information from
within the lines of the United States Army to persons in arms against the
United States government.”

“Specifications: In this, that the said Samuel Davis on or about November
20, 1363, was arrested in Giles County, Tennessee, carrying mails and informa¬
tion from within the lines of the United States forces to persons in arms against
the United States Government.”

“To which charge and specifications, the accused pleaded as follows: To
the specifications first charge: not guilty; to the charges: not guilty.

“To the specification second charge: guilty; to the charge, guilty.”

The following findings and sentence were imposed.

“The court finds the accused as follows: Of the specifications, first charge,
guilty; of the second charge, guilty. Of the specification, second charge,
guilty; of the second charge, guilty. The court does therefore sentence the
said Samuel Davis of Coleman’s Scouts, in the service of the so-called Con¬
federate States, to be hanged by the neck until he is dead, at such time and place
as the commanding general may direct, two-thirds of the members of the com¬
mission concurring in the sentence.

“Finding and sentence of the commission approved. The sentence will be
carried into effect on Friday, November 27th, 1863, between the hours of 10
o’clock a.m. and 6 o’clock p.m. Brig.-Oen. F. W. Sweeney, commanding the
Second Division, will cause the necessary arrangements to be made to carry
out this order in the proper manner.

“The military commission of which Col. Madison Miller, Eighteenth Mis¬
souri Volunteer Infantry, is president is hereby dissolved.

“By order of Brig. Gen. G. M. Dodge. J. W. Barnes, First Lieutenant and
A.A.G.”

Davis, it is seen, pleaded not guilty to the charge of spying but he did
plead guilty to being a messenger carrying mails to persons in arms against
the United States government.

It will be observed that the charge of being a spy was not described in
correct legal terms. A specification must set forth some act of the accused
that upholds or substantiates the charge. This specification merely sets forth
the fact that Davis came into the lines of the United States forces for the
purpose of secretly gaining information concerning the forces and conveying
the same to the enemy and was arrested within such lines, a specification which
described the role of a scout but not that of a spy. A scout who would go
into the enemy’s lines and so conduct himself as to permit the enemy’s force to
observe his movements would surely be subject as to investigation as to his
sanity.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

Nowhere was Davis charged with being disguised nor did the specifications
recite the fact that so-called incriminating papers were found in his saddle seat
and in his boots. As he pleaded not guilty to being a spy he must have been
called upon to establish his innocence instead of the age-old principle of law
being observed — that the accused is innocent until his guilt is proved.

Davis, when informed of the sentence expressed surprise at its severity, but
with dauntless courage he resigned himself. He wrote in his memorandum
book: “Hope something may turn up some day to let the officers that convicted
me know I am innocent.”

G. W. Petway, a leading citizen of Giles County, went to see Davis. Davis
said to him: “I do not fear death, but it makes me mad to think I am to die
as a spy.”

Chaplain Young, Eighty-first Ohio Infantry, was with Sam Davis the day
before the execution. That night at Sam’s request they sang together, “On
Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand.” The chaplain prayed with him and for him
to the end. He heard him, on the gallows, when offers of freedom were ad¬
vanced, if he would reveal the name of the person who gave him the papers
found on him when captured, utter those words which ring down after all the
intervening years: “I WOULD DIE A THOUSAND DEATHS BEFORE I
WOULD BETRAY A FRIEND.”

Shaw, the person who gave Davis the papers, meanwhile, was in the jail
with Brown and Moore the other members of Coleman’s Scouts. All were un¬
doubtedly in their proper uniforms when captured. Davis’ sacrifice prevented
their incrimination. Treated as prisoners of war, they were sent to the northern
prisons, but, Captain Shaw jumped from the train before it reached Louis¬
ville, Kentucky, and escaped.

Approached again and again to give the information sought, Davis still
firmly refused to betray the confidence reposed in him, willing to die if need
be to save that other who was “worth more to the Confederacy than I,” the boy
said.

The day before his execution he wrote to his parents this pathetic letter:

“Pulaski, Giles County, Tenn.

Nov. 26, 1863.

“Dear Mother: 0 how painful it is to write you! I have got to die to-morrow —
to be hanged by the Federals. Mother, do not grieve for me. I must bid you
good-bye for evermore. Mother, I do not fear to die. Give my love to all.

Your dear son.

“Mother: Tell the children all to be good. I wish I could see all of you once
more, but I never will any more.

“Mother and Father: Do not forget me. Think of me when I am dead, but do
not grieve for me; it will not do any good.

“Father: you can send after my remains if you want to do so. They will be at
Pulaski, Tennessee. I will leave some things, too, with the hotel keeper for you.
“Pulaski is in Giles County, Tennessee, south of Columbia.”

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero m 35

General Dodge, in writing to the “Confederate Veteran, says that Davis
was found to be a man of integrity, and it is not difficult to accept his denial of
the charge that he had been guilty of spying. Had he entered Nashville as a
spy and actually obtained the valuable papers from a federal officer there seems
to be no doubt but that he would have pleaded guilty to the charge of spying.
The pass that Davis used was intended only as a means of identification with
southern sympathizers, because loyal southerners, who could supply food,
shelter and a place of concealment, did not want to take the chance of being
arrested and tried for harboring an enemy. They required strangers to
identify themselves for federal spies were known to pass as Confederates and
cause serious trouble to those who gave them help.

L. W. Forgrave, eighty -three years old at the time of an interview, pub¬
lished in the Murfreesboro newspaper, January 6, 1928, said that as a youth
of eighteen he witnessed the execution of Davis and that he had on a black hat,
gray trousers and pea jacket, and assuming that General Dodge’s statement
regarding Davis’ clothing is correct; it is obvious that no Federal soldier within
his own lines would wear gray Confederate breeches and butternut overcoat
because his own blue uniform was to be had at all times. Army rules say:
“In this country it has always been authorized to utilize uniforms captured
from the enemy provided some striking mark or sign is attached to distinguish
the American soldier from the enemy.” No mention has ever been made that
any insignia or badge of the federal army was worn by Sam Davis. A spy is
defined in Davis’ “International Law,” long used by the United States army
officers as a textbook: “A person who enters the lines of an army in disguise or
under false pretense for the purpose of securing information.” An individual
who in the proper uniform of his army penetrates within an enemy’s lines is
not a spy, for it is the duty of the enemy to maintain his lines of outposts at
such strength and efficiency in point of numbers as will make it impossible
for individuals to pass.

Rules of Land Warfare, a War Department document, says: “The fact of
being in the enemy’s lines dressed as a civilian or wearing the enemy’s uniform
is presumed to constitute a spy, but it is possible to rebut this presumption by
proof of no intention to obtain military information. The charge with being
a spy in the uniform of his state does not render it impossible for him to be a
spy in fact, since he may have gained admission into the enemy’s lines under the
privileges of the Red Cross and have taken advantage of the opportunity
afforded him for obtaining information.”

Apparently, Sam Davis was dressed in proper uniform of his own army
and was carrying messages and papers, but there was no penalty attached to
a soldier in his proper uniform carrying messages to his own army. A civilian
performing this service was, under the laws of war, subject to execution as a
war traitor, scouts in uniform often penetrate the enemy's lines, reconnoiter
and sketch the hostile positions and if captured are to be treated as prisoners
of war and are not subject to trial as spies.

The fortifications about Nashville in 1863 could have been sketched from a
number of elevations. The newspapers published the names of all organizations

36 Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

in the Nashville garrison and of every new officer that had arrived, so it would
not have been difficult for Captain Shaw to obtain accurate information as to
the Federal positions.

The fatal morning for young Davis came, and the boy whom even the enemy
had come to like and wished to save was hurried to his death. In his story of
“An Old-Fashioned Boy” the late Dr. Hamill, gives a vivid description of these
last scenes.

At ten o’clock sharp the drums were beating the last roll, the military
guard under Captain Armstrong was ready to escort him to the gallows place on
Seminary Hill in the outskirts of the town of Pulaski, where soldiers by the
thousands were marshaled for this tragedy of war. To his fellow prisoners
Sam Davis waved good-bye with a smile as he left the jail to mount his coffin-
seat in the military wagon.

At the gallows he dismounted and sat under a tree, looking at the swinging
noose and around at the sympathizers of the assembled soldiers.

“How long have I to live, Captain Armstrong?” he asked.

“About fifteen minutes, Sam,” was the reply.

“What is the news from the front?”

Captain Armstrong told him of the battle and Bragg’s defeat, to which he
said: “Thank you, Captain, but I am sorry to hear it.” Then, in sympathetic
remembrance of the close comradeship of past years, he said: “The boys will
have to fight their battles without me.”

Captain Armstrong broke down: “Sam, I would rather die myself than
execute sentence upon you.”

To this came the reply: “Never mind, Captain, you are doing your duty.
Thank you for all your kindness.”

Just then came Captain Chickasaw, riding swiftly, and, leaping to the
ground, he placed himself by Sam’s side and pleaded that he would say the
word that would mean freedom and safe return home. Sam arose to his feet
and, with flashing eyes and uplifted face, made his last answer: “No, I cannot.
I would rather die a thousand deaths than betray a friend or be false to duty.”

A Federal officer who was looking at Sam’s face wrote of him long after¬
wards: “The boy looked about him. Life was young and promising. Overhead
hung the noose; around him were soldiers in line; at his feet was a box pre¬
pared for his body, now pulsing with young vigorous life; in front were the
steps that would lead him to disgraceful death, and that death it was in his
power to so easily avoid. For just an instant he hesitated, and then put aside
forever the tempting offer. Thus ended a tragedy wherein a smooth-faced boy,
without counsel, in the midst of enemies, with courage of highest type,
deliberately chose death for life secured by means he thought dishonorable.”

While in prison awaiting trial and execution, Sam Davis formed a strong
friendship with the Federal Chaplain, who came to know and admire the young
soldier for his manly, Christian character. As a parting gift, Sam gave him
the Federal overcoat he was wearing when captured, which his mother had
dyed to make it suitable for him to wear. In 1897, hearing of the movement

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

to erect a monument to the heroic boy, the Chaplain, Rev. James Young, then
living in Missouri, sent the coat to Mr. Cunningham, writing that he had worn
it many times and had also used it to cover his little children on cold nights.
He kept one button from the coat in memory of the boy he would have been
glad to save from his tragic fate. This old coat, in a cedar case is now in the
Confederate Room of the War Memorial Building at Nashville, it was given
by Mr. W. B. Earthman, of Murfreesboro.

Any military court except the inferior ones is required to provide a written
record of the proceedings, including the testimony of witnesses, and if this is
not done it becomes in reality a drum-head court which is not legal in our
military jurisprudence, although there are instances where summary executions
are justifiable, that is, where a general officer in command and others of his
force are eye-witnesses to a murder of one of his own men who had surrendered
to the enemy. An exhaustive search of the War Department records in Wash¬
ington, results, nothing found of record of the trial or ever has been in that
office.

There have been many theories advanced as to the person whom Sam Davis
was shielding. Some have thought it must have been one of the enemy through
whom had leaked the information and the maps of lines and fortifications in
that section, which had been so helpful to General Bragg, and that Sam Davis
died to save an enemy. Yet the boy’s own words that he would not betray a
friend, and the fact that he was the trusted messenger of Coleman (Shaw)
himself, point more strongly to the idea that he was protecting his commander,
who had entrusted to him the incriminating documents. Coleman alone knew
how and where they had been procured, and would suffer the fate of a spy
should the boy reveal his connection with the papers.

It happened that Coleman also was in the jail that imprisoned Sam Davis,
he and other scouts having been captured later, but his identity had not been
discovered by the enemy, as he had given a fictitious name when captured, and
those of his scouts who knew of his presence among them did not betray him.
Doubtless Sam Davis also learned of the capture of his Captain and realized
it would be but an exchange of victims if his identity became known, and that
made him all the more determined to go to his death “For duty’s sake.”

One who has studied the trial and execution of Sam Davis as a case in law
writes that it was sheer murder, for, by military law, no officer of the United
States army was empowered to carry out the sentence of death by a military
commission until it had been approved by the President; and he shows that
even General Sherman had to abide by this law, though his judgment was for
swift execution after sentence.

There is no record that President Lincoln was ever appraised of the sentence
passed upon Sam Davis, or of his execution. Had General Dodge been as
eager to save the boy as he claimed, why did he not give him a chance for life
through the President’s decision, which at times inclined to leniency? Had
President Lincoln reviewed the facts it is hardly probable that he would have
approved the findings of the court, for the boy was but the messenger of
another.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

“As to the facts,” says this writer, “Sam Davis was a regularly enlisted
soldier, engaged in scouting in the rear of the Federal army, wearing his uni¬
form and bearing the arms of a cavalryman, where all could see. ... Not being
disguised, he should have been treated as an ordinary prisoner of war, as was
his captain, who was captured the same day. But there were found on his
person maps of such accuracy as seemed to have come from a traitorous
Federal officer, and as Sam Davis would not trade his name for his life, his
captors were so enraged at being checkmated, they exacted this boy’s life as a
penalty for his honor and his devotion to the ‘Bonny Blue Flag’ and the cause
it represented.”

Another writer comments thus upon the severity of the sentence; “It is
true that plans of the fortifications in Middle Tennessee were found upon his
person, but no proof further than his own admission was abduced to show that
he was in possession of them in any other capacity than as a courier or letter
carrier, and might, in the discharge of his duties as such, have involuntarily
got within the lines. In addition to all these, his youth, his intelligence, his
unflinching constancy under the severest trials and the greatest temptations, and
his heroic conduct to the last, certainly should have induced a noble-hearted
commander to give the prisoner the benefit of any doubt.”

The Battle of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge

(Battles and sketches of the army of Tennessee, by
Bronfield L. Ridley. 1906)

NOTE: It is only fitting that the story of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge,
during the War of the Sixties, should be recited along with the services of Sam Davis;
the story of Davis would not be complete without giving some information surrounding
his duties, their importance, and the results, of which our hero was engaged at the time of
his untimely execution. It is with this thought in mind the following is copied.

THE BATTLE OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, NOVEMBER 24, 1863.— Report
of Brigadier-General John K. Jackson, C.S. Army Commanding Cheatham’s
Division, Hardee’s Corps.

Headquarters Cheatham’s Division,

Near Dalton, G., Dec. 21, 1863.

Major: — My report of the unfortunate disaster on Lookout Mountain on the
24th ultimo has been somewhat delayed in consequence of the delay of the
brigade commanders which are herewith inclosed, require of me a report more
in detail than I would otherwise make it and will excuse the personal cast
which it assumes.

On November 9th, in conformity with orders from army headquarters, being
temporarily in command of Cheatham’s division, I reported to Major-General
W. H. T. Walker. A re-organization of the army having just taken place, I
had with me to report to General Walker but on brigade of the division,
Wright’s brigade having been left at Charleston, Tennessee, under orders, and
Moore’s and Walthall’s brigades having not then reported to me under the
new organization. My headquarters were located on the west of Chattanooga
Creek, at a point advised by General Walker, and my brigade was placed where
he directed. On the same day I was invited by General Walker to accompany
him and Lieutenant-General Hardee to the Cravens House, which I did. The
ground in that neighborhood was passed over, viewed, and discussed but no
line to fight on was recommended by any one present. Indeed, it was agreed
on all hands that the position was one extremely difficult of defense against a
strong force of the enemy advancing under cover of a heavy artillery fire.
General Walker’s opinion was expressed to the effect that at a certain point to
which we had walked, which was a narrow pass, artillery should be placed in
position extending to the left for a short distance toward the top of the moun¬
tain; that this would prevent any surprise by forces approaching in that direc¬
tion and at the same time they would answer the guns from the hills on the
opposite side of Lookout creek; also to have artillery near the Cravens house
to answer the Moccasin battery guns. By the first arrangement he said the
artillery could have retreated by the road and the infantry, which was put there
to defend the artillery and pass, would have felt strong and been better
satisfied and better able to hold their position. He said his experience was
that infantry care but little for artillefy if they have artillery to respond with,
and that they are soon demoralized when they have quietly to sit and receive
artillery fire without having some of their own to reply with. I ventured to
express my own opinion to Lieutenant-General Hardee subsequently, and in it
I differed somewhat (notwithout great presumption, but with equal difference!

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

from that of so experienced a soldier as General Walker. If we were defeated
on the slope, the guns, as I thought, must inevitably be lost from the im¬
possibility of removing them under fire from their positions. My plan of defense
was to place a gun in every available position on Lookout Point and to sight
the wheels or elevate the trails so as to command the slope of the mountain.
In addition to which I respectfully suggested that on the point a sharpshooter
should be placed wherever a man could stand, so as to annoy the flank of
the enemy. In my judgment there was no point northwest of the Cravens
house at which our infantry force could be held on the slope of the mountain,
and in consequence of this firm conviction I gave orders to Brigadier-General
Walthall which are hereinafter mentioned.

Upon my return to the foot of the mountain on November 9, I found
Brigadier-General Walthall and his brigade in camp there. Brigadier-General
Moore’s brigade was then at the Cravens house where it had been for a time —
how long I am not informed. General Walker directed that Brigadier-General
Gist, commanding his division, and I, with my own and Walthall’s brigades
of Cheatham’s division, should defend the line from Chattanooga creek to the
foot of the mountain and permitted us to divide the line according to our
respective strengths as we wished.

After riding along the line with General Gist we made the apportionment
of it and gave orders to our respective commands. At that time I had no
command over the mountain slope although one of the brigades (Moore’s)
of the division was then on duty at or near the Cravens home. General Moore
was in command of that portion of the line under General Walker’s exercising,
extending over all the troops west of Chattanooga creek under the general
supervision of Lieutenant-General Hardee, and upon General Walker’s going
away on a short leave on November 12, which he informed me he had some
weeks before applied for, and upon the assurance of General Bragg, that he
would telegraph him when Sherman came up, before which time he anticipated
no trouble, this command devolved on me. I at once asked for written
instructions from the corps commander as to the mode of defense of the line but
received none. The command was a unit and was doubtless intended to be
handled as such. I continued to exercise it and gave orders subject to the
approval of Lieutenant-General Hardee, until his headquarters were removed
from the extreme right of the arm to a point a little east of Chattanooga creek.
This was about November 14.

About this time I went to the top of the mountain with Lieutenant-General
Hardee. We there met General Bragg and after a view from Lookout Point
General Bragg indicated a line on the slope of the mountain, which from that
standpoint he thought ought to be the fighting line. As we descended the
mountain, I again rode out with Lieutenant-General Hardee to the Cravens
house, and again looked over the ground. The line indicated by General Bragg
was found to present quite a different appearance upon a close view from the
same as seen on the mountain top. This line as I understood it, passed from
Lookout Point a little in rear of the Cravens house and Cravens house roads,
and thence to the precipitous rocks near the mouth of Chattanooga creek.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero 41

The engineers were put to work under some one’s orders- — whose I do not know
— and fatigue parties furnished to them from my command at their request.

On November 14, a new disposition of the command was made. Major-
General Stevenson was assigned to the command of the troops of Cheatham’s
division was directed to assume command of all troops and defenses at and meet
the Cravens house. The ranking officer of Walker’s division was charged with
the line from the base of Lookout Mountain east to Chattanooga creek and
with all the troops not Hardee’s corps, and in conformity with it, as the ranking
officer of Cheatham’s division, I assumed command of the troops and defenses
at and near the Cravens house, and on the following day (November 15)
established my headquarters at the junction of the Summertown road with
the mountainside road leading to the Cravens house, with the approval of
Lieutenant-General Hardee. On the same day, Brigadier-General Walthall’s
brigade relieved that of Brigadier-General Pettus near the Craven house.

On the night of the 16th and 17th, a fatigue party was ordered to report to
Lieutenant Steele of the engineers to commence work on the new line below the
Cravens House. By direction of Lieutenant-General Hardee, I went out in
person to see that the work was progressing; found that there was a misunder¬
standing as to the place of reporting; walked down the road a considerable
distance along the contemplated line, then went to the Cravens house and
ordered the detail to be reassembled and to report to Lieutentant Steele
immediately.

This was at night. The work was directed to be done at night as the working
party would be under fire of the Moccasin Point batteries. General Walthall’s
troops were some distance in advance of the proposed line, and exposed to
the enemy’s artillery fire. I ordered him on the 18th, with the approval of
Lieutenant-General Hardee, to shorten his picket line as he proposed, and notice
of which I promptly gave to General Stevenson, and to bring back his troops in
the rear (south) of the Cravens house, leaving his pickets where they were,
supported by one regiment. Upon inspection of the ground, General Walthall
reported to me, as General Moore’s troops were also in the rear of the Cravens
house, there would not be room enough for his brigade between General
Moore’s and my headquarters, and said that as he supposed the order I had
given him was permissive rather than directory, if I had no objections, he
would keep his troops where they were. To this I assented, giving him at the
same time instructions, if attacked by the enemy in heavy force to fall back
fighting over the rocks. I expected by the time his troops reached the Cravens
house to be with them and form line of battle with Walthall’s left against the
cliff and his right at or near the Cravens house and Moore prolonging this
line to the right. This was the general line pointed out by General Bragg,
although it had not been defended by the engineers, nor had any work been
done on it between the cliff and the Cravens house. Beyond the Cravens
house there was no practicable line which was not enfiladed by the enemy’s
batteries except the covered way prepared by General Jenkins and the flank
of that was exposed to the infantry attack.

On the afternoon of the 20th (I believe) I visited the works below the Cravens
house in company with Captain Henry of the division staff and spent some time

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

in their inspection. These works being a mere rifle-pit, would be of no service
when the enemy were once in possession of the Cravens house, as they would
thence be taken in flank — almost in reverse.

On November 22nd, my brigade was ordered to report to me and was moved
from the top of the mountain to the slope and placed in the position which I
had desired General Walthall to take.

On the 23rd, it was ordred to the foot of the mountain, out of my command,
to take with Cumming’s brigade the place on the line which had been occupied
by Walker’s division. My position and that of General Stevenson were thus
each weakened by a brigade.

On the same day a brief fire of artillery and small-arms was heard coming
from the extreme right. It was supposed to be a struggle for wood.

Late in the afternoon of the 23rd, General Stevenson was placed in command
of the forces west of Chattanooga creek, Lieutenant-General Hardee having
been removed to the extreme right, and on the same night, orders were received
and distributed to prepare three days’ cooked rations and to hold the troops
in readiness to move at a moment’s notice. In order to avoid anything like a
surprise along the line, at about 7:30 p.m., I ordered Captain Henry of the
division staff, to visit the chiefs of pickets and direct them to be unusually
vigilant in watching the movements of the enemy and to guard against surprise.

About 9 a.m. on the 24th, I received a note from General Walthall to the
effect that the enemy were moving in heavy force toward our left; that their
tents had nearly all disappeared and their pontoon bridges been cut away.
Shortly afterwards, I received another note from him to the effect that he was
mistaken as to the number of tents that had disappeared, but that many of
those which could be seen on previous days were not then visible. The originals
of both these notes were immediately dispatched to General Bragg and copies
to General Stevenson. I also sent a staff officer to order Generals Moore and
Walthall to hold their commands under arms ready for action. I walked out
on the road toward the Cravens house to a facoranle point and could distinguish
the enemy troops on the plain in front of Chattanooga — all quiet, no massing,
no movements of any kind. From this point I sent another staff officer to the
Cravens house to report to me immediately anything of interest, and returned
myself to my position at the fork of the road. The demonstration of the enemy
did not, down to this time, indicate the point of attack — whether upon my
portion of the line or farther to the left. General Stevenson inquired of me
about this time if I needed reinforcements, to which I replied that I could not
tell until there were further developments. I sent orders by a staff officer to
Generals Moore and Walthall to place their troops in line as soon as the
skirmishing commenced, but not unnecessarily to expose them to the fire of the
enemy’s artillery. I expected, from the rugged nature of the ground and the
fact that the enemy had to ascend the mountain, that the picket fighting
would continue for some time before the main body would be engaged.

About this time I received a message from General Moore that he did not
know where the line was. I sent back immediately an order that General
Walthall would occupy the left, and that he (General Moore) would form on

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero 43

General Walthall’s right, prolonging the line in the earth-works below the
Cravens house as far as his troops would extend.

About 12 M., I received a note from General Moore that the enemy had
formed line and commenced skirmishing with our pickets near the railroad
bridge crossing Lookout creek; that he could not then tell their object, and
inquiring where he should place his brigade. I sent to General Stevenson to ask
for the offered re-inforcements. Information came to me from General Walthall
about the same time that the pickets had commenced firing, and a message
from General Stevenson by Major Pickett that the enemy was making an attack
on my line. I now asked in writing for a brigade from General Stevenson
to be sent down at once and ordered Major John Ingram, assistant adjutant-
general, to direct General Walthall to fight back the enemy with his pickets
and reserve as long as possible, and finally to take position with his left against
v the cliff and his right at or in direction of the Cravens house, and to direct
General Moore to advance and form on the right of General Walthall and
prolong the line in the earth-works below the Cravens house. Major Ingram
reported to me that he rode rapidly forward to a point some two hundred yards
from the Cravens house, passing General Moore’s brigade moving up to their
position and to support General Walthall’s brigade which was being rapidly
driven back by overwhelming numbers. The substance of my order was
delivered by Major Ingram to Generals Moore and Walthall. The latter stated
that, although the order did not reach him in time, he had carried it out in his
efforts to defend the position.

General Moore, expressing a desire to have a full supply of ammunition, was
informed by Major Ingram that Captain Clark, division ordinance officer, had
been ordered to furnish him from the division train. Within a few minutes
after Major Ingram left as bearer of the above order to General’s Moore and
Walthall, I proceeded in person, accompanied by Major Waulx of the division
staff, to superintend the execution.

Passing a great many stragglers (officers and men) along the road, I was
met at some short distance from the Cravens house by an officer from General
Walthall, who brought the information that his brigade had been driven back
in considerable confusion, and that the Cravens house was in possession of the
enemy. I immediately dispatched a staff officer to speed the re-inforcement and
endeavored to rally the men who were coming to the rear in large numbers,
and to form a line where I was, selecting what I considered the most favorable
position for a line among rocks, where no regular line was practicable and
where the battle could be but a general skirmish. Failing in this, I rode back
to the junction of the roads, there met Brigadier-General Pettus with three
regiments of his brigade. He informed me that he had been ordered by General
Stevenson to report to me. I directed him to proceed on the road and form line
to re-inforce Generals Moore and Walthall. I at the same time sent for a piece
of artillery from the battalion of the divison and upon its arrival, directed the
officer in command to select the most favorable position on the Cravens house
road and heck the enemy. He soon after reported that he could find no position
in which he could use his guns to advantage, and for not more than one or two
shots at all.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

I remained generally at the junction of the two roads, because I considered it
most accessible from all points. General Stevenson was communicating with
me by the road down the mountain, General Moore by the same road up the
mountain, and Generals Pettus and Walthall by the cross-roads. General Pettus
informed me by an officer of the disposition made of the troops, and asked for
orders. Having placed his regiment on the left of the cross-road with their
left against the cliff, and with extended intervals, so as to connect him except
to hold that position against the enemy. His dispositions were satisfactory
and I did not wish to change them. I subsequently received a message from
him that the enemy was pressing his left and asking for re-inforcements. About
the same time I was informed by one of the division staff that General Walthall
had sent the fragments of two regiments to that point and that there was danger
to be apprehended there. I replied to General Pettus that I had no re-inforce¬
ments to send him; that no more could be obtained from General Stevenson,
and that he must hold his position.

The enemy being held in check, matters so continued not materially changed
until quite late in the afternoon when I received a report by an officer of
General Moore’s brigade that unless he was re-inforced his right would be
turned. Receiving intelligence also from officers of pickets who had escaped
that way, that the Kelley’s ferry road was entirely open. I knew that the enemy
had only to press forward on it to obtain control of our road from the
mountain, and expecting that they certainly would do so, I rode to the top of
the mountain to confer with General Stevenson, my immediate superior upon
the subject. We agreed that if the enemy did get possession of the road at or
near the base of the mountain, I should withdraw the troops of my command at
dark and join him on the top of the mountain, and he so directed. Availing
myself of General Stevenson’s writing material, I addressed written orders to
the division quartermaster, commissary of subsistance, ordinance officer, and
chief of artillery who were in the plain below, to retire beyond Chattanooga
creek and then look for orders from corps headquarters, as I expected to be cut
off from them.

After this short absence, I returned to my position on the mountain side and
there remained until near dark, having sent orders to the brigadier commanders
that if we were cut off or overpowered, we would retire by the top of the
mountain, but to hold their positions if possible until dark, and to await further
orders. When it was near dark and when the firing had become rather
desultory, I again went to General Stevenson’s headquarters for final orders
as to withdrawing the troops. I was there informed that General Bragg ordered
us to retire down the mountain, the road being still open, and that we must
assemble at the Gillespie house to make final arrangements. A guard having
been detailed from my command for some subsistence stores on the top of the
mountain, I went to relieve them, but found that it had already been done.
Proceeding to the Gillespie house, at the base of the mountain, I received orders
from General Bragg, through General Cheatham, as to the time and mode of
withdrawing the troops, and immediately dispatched them to the brigade
commanders by the assistant and adjutant-general and the acting inspector-

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

general of the division. In conformity with these orders, the troops returned
south of Chattanooga creek, and the brigade was destroyed.

On November 20th, the date of the report nearest to the day of the battle,
Moore’s brigade had a total effective of 1,205, and Walthall’s brigade, a total
effective of 1,489 men. The casualties in the first were four killed, forty-eight
wounded and 199 missing. In the second the casualties were eight killed,
ninety-one wounded and 845 captured. In Pettus’ brigade there were nine
killed, thirty-eight wounded and nine missing.

General Moore ventures the opinion that if I had given proper orders, a
different result would have been accomplished. I beg leave to differ. The
whole effective force at my command at the beginning was 2,694 men. Of
these, 1,044 had been captured, some had been wounded and a few killed.
The enemy’s force was (as reported) a division and two brigades. They were
v in possession of the high grounds around the Cravens house, from which, by
General Moore’s circumstances, I was unwilling to hazard an advance movement
with my shattered command, even aided by the three regiments under General
Pettus, who was himself pressed by the enemy.

General Moore adds a report of the battle the next day on Missionary Ridge,
when he was not under my command, and goes out of his way to say that he did
not see me during the engagement. I did not think it necessary for me to show
myself to him. If he had desired to see me he could have found me at all times
during the engagement, near the right of my line, which was on the top of the
ridge, while the left was down the hill. If General Moore means to reflect
upon the conduct of my brigade, I am glad to say that there are other witnesses
who bear different testimony.

General Walthall must have misapprehended the remark made to him as I
descended the mountain. I expected to receive orders from General Bragg, but
not to see him in person. These orders were to come from General Cheatham.

It may be remarked that there were two 6-pounder guns at the Cravens
house under the command of Lieutenant Gibson, but they were without horses
and could not be moved. In their position they could not be fired without
endangering the troops of General Walthall. Lieutenant Gibson’s report
accompanies this. He never reported to me, although subject to my orders,
and his two guns were all the artillery that I could command for purposes of
defense, although I took the responsibility of ordering up a piece from the
battalion of Cheatham’s division, General Walthall's communication in relation
to a piece of artillery to be placed in position, was sent by me immediately on
its receipt to General Stevenson. Captain Henry of the division staff, was the
bearer of it.

The movements of the enemy were very rapid. An impenetrable fog hung
around the mountain all day.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

John K. Jackson,
Brigadier-General.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

BATTLE OF MISSIONARY RIDGE, NOVEMBER 24, 1863.

Report of Major-General Patrick R. Cleburne, S. C. Army, Commanding
Division, etc., with thanks to the Confederate Congress.

“Colonel: — On the morning of the 23rd of November, 1863, I was with my
division at Chickamauga Station on the Western and Atlantic railroad, attend¬
ing to the transportation of Buckner’s and my own division by rail to Loudon,
East Tennessee, where with both divisions, I was ordered to report to Lieutenant-
General Longstreet, then besieging Knoxville.

I had sent off all of Buckner’s division except Reynolds' brigade when I
received the following order from my headquarters, viz:

The general commanding desires that you will halt such portions of your
command as have not yet left Chickamauga; such as may have left, halt at
Charleston. Do not, however, separate brigades; if parts of brigades have gone,
let the remaining portion of brigade go, but halt at Charleston.

In compliance with the above, I sent forward the remainder of Johnson’s
brigade bit tool a portion of Reynolds’ brigade of the cars as it was about to
start. I also telegraphed to Brigadier-General Bushrod Johnson, commanding
Buckner’s division, directing him to halt the division at Charleston.

I immediately after received the following dispatch from army headquarters,

viz:

Order Johnson’s troops at Charleston back now. Move up rapidly with your
while force.

I dispatched General Johnson accordingly.

In a few minutes after I received the following, viz:

“We are heavily engaged. Move up rapidly to these headquarters.

Braxton Bragg”

Instructing Brigadier-General Polk to bring up the division, I galloped
forward to headquarters for further instructions. I was ordered to rest for the
night immediately behind Missionary Ridge and placed my division accord-
ingly.

Returning to General Bragg’s headquarters, he informed me that my division
would act as a reserve for the army and would report directly to him. I ordered
Reynolds’ brigade, which I brought back with me from Chickamauga, to be
reported directly to General Bragg, and had no further control of it.

During the night our line along the western front of Missionary Ridge was
abandoned, and at early dawn I commenced to construct a new line of defense
along the top of the ridge from the Shallow Ford road to General Bragg’s
headquarters. Before this was completed, General Bragg informed me that the
enemy had crossed the Tennessee river, both above and below the mouth of
Chickamauga, and directed me to send a brigade and battery to the West
Tennessee and Georgia railroad bridge over the Chickamauga to guard that
point. I sent Brigadier-General Polk’s command and Semple’s battery.

About 2 p. m. on the 24th of November, I received orders to proceed with
the remaining three brigades and the batteries of my division to the right of

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

Missionary Ridge, near the point where the tunnel of the East Tennessee and
Georgia railroad passes through Missionary Ridge, where I would find an
officer of General Hardee’s staff who would show me my position. At the same
time, General Bragg informed me that the enemy had already a division in line
opposite the position I was intended to occupy; that he was rapidly crossing
another and had nearly completed a pontoon bridge over the Tennessee opposite
my position. He also told me I must preserve the railroad bridge in my rear,
where Brigadier-General Folk was stationed, at all hazards. Galloping forward
ahead of my command, I found Major Poole of General Hardee’s staff, at the
tunnel, who informed me that he had been left by General Hardee to show me
my position.

I will attempt here a description of the ground. The right of Missionary
Ridge, to which I was ordered, runs nearly north and south and parallel to the
Tennessee river that is about one and one-half miles west of it. From the tunnel
north along the ridge it is about a mile to the Chickamauga river which bounds
the ridge, may be said to form three sides to a square. The Tennessee valley,
between the rivers and the ridge is mostly level with a continuation of cleared
fields bordering the ridge, but immediately in front of the center of my position,
about 1,200 yards north and 600 yards west of the railroad tunnel, was a high
detached ridge which in a military point of view, dominated over every point
within cannon range.

After passing through the tunnel, the railroad runs in a northeasterly
direction to the Chickamauga, which it crossed on the bridge Brigadier-General
Polk was guarding. From the east side of the main ridge there projected two
spurs, one on the north boundary with its precipitous north side washed by the
Chickamauga; the other jutting out just north of the tunnel, did not run directly
back, but northeasterly for 1,000 yards, forming an acute angle with the parent
ridge. Opposite the right of this spur, the main ridge was intersected by a little
valley through which came a road from the Tennessee valley where the enemy
now was. The highest point on my line and the point of chief interest in the
battle on the right and which I shall designate in the report as Tunnel Hill, was
situated on the main ridge 250 yards north of the tunnel. The position pointed
out for my command of Major Poole, was to occupy with the remainder of my
command to stretch from the top of Tunnel Hill to the right of Walker’s
division, three-quarters of a mile south of the tunnel.

I sent Major Poole to inform General Hardee that I had not three brigades
and could not cover so long a line. The head of my division (Smith’s Texas)
brigade, was now at hand, and at the same moment reported to me from the
detached ridge. Private Henry Smith of the signal corps of my division
informed me he was just from that point; that the enemy was advancing on it
in line of battle. I ordered Smith to move his brigade rapidly and try to get
possession of it before the enemy had gained a foothold, but if he found the
enemy in possession to fall back on the main ridge. General Smith moved into
the valley, but was fired on from the top of the detached ridge as he approached
its foot. Smith was too late. The enemy had crowned the ridge. He therefore,
marched by his right flank on to the main of Missionary Ridge and formed on
its top — his two left regiments facing the detached ridge, and his right regiment

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

thrown back in an easterly direction to protect his flanks. Smith had scarcely
thrown out skirmishers, before he was briskly attacked by the skirmishers of the
enemy.

In the meantime, I had placed Lowry’s brigade in position south of the
tunnel and was about placing Govan’s brigade on his left so as to complete my
connection with Walker’s division, when my attention was attracted to the
fighting on my right. It was evident the enemy was endeavoring to turn my
right flank and get possession of the main ridge between my right and the
Chickamauga. If he succeeded, my connection with Brigadier-General Polk
and my line of retreat by the bridge he was guarding, was cut and the safety
of the whole army was endangered. Instead of placing Govan’s brigade on
the main ridge, I placed him on the spur in rear of it, which jutted out just
north of the tunnel and covered the valley and road before described, that led
over the main ridge from the direction of the enemy.

Govan rapidly threw skirmishers across this road and between it and the
Chickamauga.

Lieutenant-General Hardee was soon on the ground in person. He approved
my dispositions, directed the destruction of a bridge crossed the Chickamauga
close in rear of my right flank. Between the left of Smith’s brigade and
Walker’s division, a distance of near a mile, there was now not two regiments
of Lowry’s brigade and it so remained all night and until 7 a. m. next day.

It was now dark; the fighting had ceased in front of Smith; he had main¬
tained his position. Hearing of the disaster at Lookout, I supposed our army
would fall back beyond the Chickamauga and accordingly had sent my ordi¬
nance and artillery across that river, with the exception of two pieces of
cannon planted beyond my flank. I sent Captain Buck, my assistant adjutant-
general, to headquarters of the army so as to receive any orders that might
be given as quickly as possible. About midnight he returned with the
information that it was determined to await the enemy’s attack on Missionary
Ridge. I now ordered my artillery and ordnance to join me at daylight, sent
to my train for the axes belonging to the division in order to throw up some
defense and rode out myself to make a moonlight survey of the ground and
line of retreat. I found a hill on the north bank of the Chickamauga between
my right and the railroad bridge, guarded by General Polk, which completely
commanded my line of retreat.

I ordered Brigadier-General Polk to occupy this hill at once with two
regiments of infantry and a section of artillery. Discovering the facility which
it afforded for turning me on the extreme right, I determined to immediately
throw a line across the other east spur of Missionary Ridge which jutted out
from the north point of the ridge, and was washed by the Chickamauga. I
placed the two regiments of Lowry’s brigade left near the tunnel of this line.
In the meantime Smith had thrown up some defenses in his front not at my
suggestion he now abandoned them and took up position as follows: his left
resting on the crest of the main ridge about 150 yards north of the main tunnel
and running north along the crest for the length of one regiment, the Sixth,
Tenth and Fifteenth Texas (consolidated), Colonel R. Q. Mills commanding.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

The right of this regiment rested close under the cresl of Tunnel Hill. On the
top of Tunnel Hill a space was left clear of infantry, and Swett’s battery of
four Napoleon guns commanded by Lieutenant H. Shannon, was placed on it
so as to sweep north in the direction of Shannon’s old position. Northwest
of the detached ridge or west into the Tennessee valley as occasion might re¬
quire, at a point about sixty yards northeast of the right of Mill’s regiment,
Smith’s line recommenced but instead of continuing north it now ran but
slightly north of east down the side of the hill for the length of two regiments,
the Seventh Texas, Colonel H. B. Granbury commanding, and the Seventeenth,
Eighteenth, Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth dismounted cavalry (consolidated),
Major W. A. Taylor commanding. This formation made the angle on the apex
of Tunnel Hill where Swett’s battery was planted, the weak point in Smith’s
v line but it secured Smith’s flank by throwing his extreme right back within 200
yards of Govan’s left, bringing the latter officer’s line nearly at right angles to
his north front, thus enabling each line to assist the other if attacked. At a
favorable point on Govan’s line, selected by General Hardee, I placed Douglas’
battery commanded by Lieutenant John H. Bingham, so as to enfilade any
line attempting to charge Smith’s north front. Lowry’s position across the
spur before mentioned, was en eschelon about 200 paces in front of Covan. I
ordered the whole of the brigade to occupy this position and completed my
line from Tunnel Hill to Chickamauga. Lowry had no artillery, the spur
being too steep to admit of its being brought up. Calvert’s battery, commanded
by Lieutenant Thomas J. Key, I placed directly over the tunnel, and Between
the tunnel and left of Smith’s Brigade were placed three regiments of Brown’s
brigade of Stevenson’s Brigade. I was determined to construct a slight work in
front of my line but I was prevented for some time by an eclipse of the moon
which rendered the morning dark. At length, distributing our few axes we
went to work.

The day broke hazy, so that it was some time before the enemy could dis¬
cover our operations. As soon as he did, he commenced a heavy fire on
General Smith’s working party and prevented us from erecting any work
whatever in front of the battery on the top of Tunnel Hill. Up to 10:30 a.m.
the enemy contented himself with severe skirmishing and a heavy artillery
fire from batteries erected by him during the night in the detached hill. About
this hour he drove in Smith’s skirmishers and possessed himself of the breast¬
works which Smith had abandoned that morning. A heavy attack on the
tunnel and on Smith s line was now imminent. General Hardee sent me direc¬
tion to take my position at the tunnel and to take charge of everything in that
quarter and to the right of it. The enemy was now in sight, advancing in two
long lines of battle, the right stretching far beyond my left, the left stretching
beyond Smith’s right where farther view of it was prevented by the woods that
covered and bordered the detached hill. For the full understanding of the
fierce conflict that followed, it would be proper for me in this place to give a
statement of the force of the enemy opposite my position ascertained at a
later hour from prisoners and other sources. It consisted of the division of
Maj or-General Jeff C. Davis, three divisions of the army brought by Sherman

Sam Davis— Confederate Hero

from Vicksburg, and Howard’s (Eleventh) corps, of the Army of the Potomac,
all under the command of Major-General Sherman.

At 11 a.m. the first serious fight of the day commenced. Jt was heavy
along Smith’s whole line and extended some distance south of the tunnel. The
right of the enemy’s line, exposed to the fire of several pieces of artillery
planted over the tunnel, and met by a brigade sent by General Hardee to the
foot of the bridge, swayed backward and forward for some time, but did not
dare to advance further than 400 yards, and finally lay down, contenting itself
with sending forward a large body of Skirmishers and sending to the rear a
much larger number of stragglers. The enemy’s left however, under shelter of
Smith’s abandoned work of the night before and protected by the woods on
that flank and by the precipitous, heavily wooded sides of Tunnel Hill, ad¬
vanced rapidly on Smith’s line and finally made a heavy charge on Swett’s
battery on the apex of the hill. The artillerymen stood bravely to their guns
under a terrible crossfire and replied with canister at short range but still the
enemy advanced. When he had reached within fifty steps of the battery,
Brigadier-General Smith charged him with the right of Mills’ regiment and the
left of the Seventh Texas, Smith’s north front pouring into him from the breast¬
works a close volley at the same time. The enemy was routed and driven back
to his cover behind the hillside and abandoned work.

In this charge Brigadier-General Smith and Colonel Mills were both severely
wounded at the head of their men. Colonel H. B. Granbury, Seventh Texas,
now assumed command of Smith’s brigade. In less than half an hour the
enemy made another desperate charge. He was met by the Texas men and
artillery in front. Douglas’ battery enfiladed him from Govan’s hill, and
Lowry’s extreme left regiment got a long range volley on his flank. He was

driven back in confusion as before.

In these attacks Lieutenant H. Shannon commanding Swett’s battery, was
wounded. The command devolved upon Lieutenant Joseph Ashton; in a few
minutes he was mortally wounded. The command then fell on Corporal L. M.
Williams. So many non-commissioned officers and men had been killed and
disabled in the battery, Colonel Granbury was forced to make a detail from the
infantry to work the guns. There was now a short lull in the battle during
which, at the request of Colonel Granbury, I detailed the Second, Lifteenth, and
Twenty-fourth Arkansas (Consolidated) under Lieutenant-Colonel Warfield,
from Govan’s left, and posted them immediately in rear of the battery on top
of the Tunnel Hill. I sent two of Swett’s 12-pounders to report to Colonel
Govan as Douglas’ guns were too light to be effective in their present position.
I ordered Key’s battery of four light field pieces to move up and replace the
guns sent off and put Lieutenant Key in command of all the artillery on Tunnel
Hill. About 1 p.m. it was evident that another grand attack was soon to be made
on my division. In a few minutes after it commenced. The enemy again lined
Smith’s abandoned works and from them kept up a close incessent fire on
Smith’s north front and particularly on the artillery on top of the hill.
Simultaneously a charge was made on the west face of Tunnel Hill. Warfield’s
regiment was thrown forward outside of the work to the crest of the hill looking
into the Tennessee Valley to meet this charge. Key fired rapidly into the

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

charging line as it crossed the open ground at the west foot of the ridge but
it was soon under shelter. At the steep of the hill the enemy’s line now seemed
to form into a column on the march and rushed up the hill in the direction of
the batteries. Warfield’s fire stopped the head of the charging column just
under the crest. Here the enemy lay down behind trees, logs and projecting
rocks, their first line not twenty-five yards from the guns and opened fire.
Tier after tier of the enemy, to the foot of the hill and in the valley beyond,
supplied this fire and concentrated the whole on a space not more than forty
yards until it seemed like one continued sheet of hissing, flying lead. This
terrific fire prevented Warfield’s men from moving sufficiently forward to fire
with effect down the hill, but otherwise it only swept over our heads. The
cross-fire from Smith’s abandoned works was however, more fatal. It took
Warfield in flank and was constantly disabling men near the top of the hill.

This desperate attack had now lasted more than half an hour. Key was
depressing his guns to the utmost and firing shell and canister down the hill
in the face of the enemy’s fire. Discovering the impossibility of reaching the
enemy by a direct fire, the officers of Warfield’s regiment were pitching down
heavy stones, apparently with effect.

General Hardee, from a hill south of the tunnel, seeing the stubbornness of
the fight, had placed some pieces of artillery in position and was endeavoring
to dislodge the enemy with a flank fire, but his right flank was protected by an
intervening projection of the hill he was on, and his fire was not effective.
General Hardee also sent a brigade to move north along the west eave of the
ridge to strike the enemy in flank now this brigade returned without accom¬
plishing anything. At this point of the fight Colonel McConnell, commanding
a Georgia regiment of Cumming’s brigade, come up to the threatened point
and moved his regiment forward to where Warfield’s men were fighting. Mc¬
Connell was shot through the head, and his regiment fell back and was with¬
drawn. Brigadier-General Cummings of Stevenson’s division also reported to
me with his brigade and was placed in rear of Smith’s line and parallel to it,
with instructions to support the Texas brigade behind the works and the
artillery at the angle.

The fight had lasted unceasingly for an hour and a half and the enemy
seemed to be constantly re-enforcing. The First and Twenty-seventh Ten¬
nessee, of Maney’s brigade, Colonel Fielding commanding, was moved in front
of the work and placed on Warfield’s right, the latter officer and his gallant
regiment, still nobly holding their exposed position, although the regiment was
diminished in numbers and almost out of ammunition. It was at this critical
period of the day that Lieutenant-Colonel Warfield suggested to me that
our men were wasting ammunition and were becoming disheartened at the
persistency of the enemy, and proposed a charge down upon them with the
bayonet. Brigadier-General Cumming gallantly proposed to lead the charge
with two of his regiment. I immediately consented and directed General Cum¬
ming to prepare for the charge and went to the left to see that a simultaneous
charge was made on the enemy’s right flank. I now ordered the left of Mills
(Texas) regiment, being the extreme left of my division, to make the charge on

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

the enemy’s flank the moment that Cumming charged them in front and I re¬
mained at the breastwork myself to see the execution of the order.

In the meantime, General Cumming having placed the Fifty-sixth Georgia
in line for the charge and supported it by placing the Thirty-sixth Georgia
ten paces in rear, moved forward to the charge; twice he was checked and had to
reform. Warfield’s (Arkansas) regiment with empty guns, and the gallant
First and Twenty-seventh Tennessee prepared to share his next effort. At the
command the whole rushed forward with a cheer. Lieutenant-Colonel Sanders
simultaneously leading the left of Mills’ (Texas) regiment on the enemy’s flank.
The enemy completely surprised, fled down the foot of the hill, the Texas
troops on the left pursuing him beyond the foot of the hill and nearly across
the open ground in front. Our charging column returned with many prisoners
and stands of colors; a fresh force of the enemy attempted to follow as we
returned from this charge but was quickly met and routed by the Fiftieth
Tennessee and with troops of my division. Immediately on his last repulse
the enemy opened a rapid and revengeful artillery fire on Tunnel Hill from
his batteries on the detached hill and under cover of this fire he went to work
felling trees and fortifying his position.

It is but just for me to state that the blunt of this long day’s fight was borne
by Smith’s (Texas) brigade and the Second, Fifteenth and Twenty-fourth
Arkansas (consolidated) of Govan’s brigade, together with Swett’s and Key’s
batteries. The remainder of my division was only engaged in heavy skirmishing.
The final charge was participated in and successful through the timely ap¬
pearance and gallant assistance of the regiments of Cumming’s and Maney’s
brigades before mentioned.

Out of the eight stand of colors shown by me to have been captured, four
were presented to me by Mills’ (Texas) regiment, two were presented by the
Fifty-sixth and Thirty-sixth Georgia regiments of Cumming’s brigade; one flag
was presented by the First Tennessee of Maney’s brigade, and one by the
Second, Fifteenth, and Twenty-fourth Arkansas (consolidated) of Govan’s
brigade; in all eight colors, six of which I herewith transmit. Among them are
the flags of the Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania and Ninety-third Illinois. About
500 prisoners were captured. At a critical moment of the battle I lost of the
bravest officers of my division — Brigadier-General J. A. Smith, commanding
the Texas brigade, and Colonel R. Q. Mills, the same officer who commanded
it in the battle of Chickamauga after General Deshler fell. Besides these
gallant officers were other noble officers and men, some of whose names are
handed down to history in the report of brigade and regimental commanders.

I suffered the following losses in the three brigades of my division engaged,
viz.: forty-two killed, 178 wounded and two missing.

Colonel Sugg of the Fifteenth Tennessee regiment, Maney’s Brigade was
dangerously wounded in the last charge. Colonel McConnell of Cumming’s
brigade, and other gallant soldiers who fell in front of my works, I can but
lament. I did not personally know them but I saw and can bear witness to
their gallant bearing and noble deaths.

The enemy must have suffered severely, for the hillside and the valley were
thickly strewn with the dead. We may credit his published reports of casualties

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

in this fight, he lost one major-general, John E. Smith, wounded; three brigadier-
generals, Corse, Matthies, and Giles Smith, the latter mortally, and one colonel
commanding brigade, Colonel Raum, mortally wounded.

Soon after the final defeat of the enemy in front of Smith’s position, I
received a dispatch from General Hardee to send to the center all the troops I
could spare as the enemy was pressing us in that quarter. I immediately
ordered Generals Cummings and Maney with their respective brigades, to re¬
port accordingly, and went myself to push them forward. Before I had gone
far a dispatch from General Hardee reached me with the appalling news that
the enemy had pierced our center and were on Missionary Ridge and directing
me to take command of my own, Walker’s and Stevenson’s divisions and form
a line across the ridge so as to meet an attack upon my flank, and take all other
necessary measures for the safety of the right wing. I ordered Brigadier-
General Gist commanding Walker’s division, to form a line across the ridge;
ordered all vehicles which could be spared, to cross the Chickamauga. Sent
Brigadier-General Folk hazards and sent Govan’s brigade to disput the enemy’s
advance on the Shallow Ford road.

Soon after, night was upon us and General Hardee ordered an immediate
retreat across the Chickamauga and that Smith’s (Texas) brigade should remain
in position and bring up the rear. General Lowry attacked and drove back the
enemy’s skirmishes in his front and then retreated. By 9 p.m. everything was
across except the dead and a few stragglers lingering here and there under the
shadow of the trees for the purpose of being captured; faint-hearted patriots
succumbing to the hardships of the war and the imagined hopelessness of the
hour. I now ordered Smith’s Brigade to move in retreat. Sadly, but not fear¬
fully this band of heroes left the hill they had held so well and followed the
army across the Chickamauga.

To Brigadier-General Smith, Cumming and Maney, and to Colonel Gran-
bury, I returned my thanks for the able manner in which they managed their
commands. My thanks are also due to Brigadier-General Polk and Lowry, and
to Colonel Govan, commanding brigade; although not actively engaged, they
were rendering good service in holding important positions.

Swett’s battery under command of Lieutenant H. Shannon, and Calvert’s
battery commanded by Lieutenant Thomas J. Key, were bravely fought and did
great execution. Swett’s battery under command of Lieutenant Isaiah Lightner,
in position where the road crosses the hill, did much toward driving back the
right of the enemy’s line in its attempted advance across the open field.

Brigadier-General John C. Brown’s brigade on my left flank, was engaged in
heavy skirmishes most of the day.

The following officers of my staff — Major Calhoun Benham, assistant
adjutant-general; Major J. K. Dixon, assistant inspector-general; Captain
Irving A. Buck, assistant adjutant-general; Captain Charles S. Hill, ordnance
officer (whose horse was shot under him) ; Surgeon D. A. Linthicum, Lieutenant
L. H. Mangum, and S. P. Hanley, aides-de-camp, and Captain C. H. Byrne,
volunteer aide-de-camp (whose horse was shot under him), acted with their
usual gallantry and discharged their duties with zeal and intelligence. Messrs.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

Henry Smith and William Rucker of the signal corps, volunteered on my
staff for the battle and were very efficient.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

P. R. Cleburne,

Colonel Kinloch Falconer Brigadier-General, Provisional Army C.S.

Asst. Adj. -General.

NOTE: There are other worded pictures of the Lookout Mountain and
Missionary Ridge campaigns, given in various reports, but I have selected these
two to show to my readers the importance of these campaigns in the Southern
cause. I have also chosen these two reports, because it was these campaigns
to which Sam Davis referred when he asked Captain Armstrong “What is the
news from the front" only about fifteen minutes before he made the sacrifice
to honor and duty. — editor.

The Burial of Sam Davis

V SHORT TIME after the capture of Sam Davis, his parents heard on the
^grapevine” that a scout named Davis had been “caught by the Yankees” and
hanged as a spy at Pulaski on Friday, the 27th of November.

Judging from the direction their son supposedlv had taken, and knowing
that he was ordered to go in the vicinity of Pulaski, they at once felt the fear
it was their son who had met his fate by the Federals. They immediately began
making efforts to determine if it was their son; resulting in finding that the
much feared truth was indeed a fact. The suspense and agony was great.

Someone must investigate, go to Pulaski to acertain all information possible.
This could better be done by a friend in whom they had the fullest trust. Mr.
John C. Kennedy, whom they knew to be both bold and prudent as well as
trustworthy in every respect, was selected.

The Confederate Veteran for February, 1896, gives an account of the journey
to Pulaski for the body of Sam Davis by Mr. Kennedy, himself, and reads as
follows:

“Mr. and Mrs. Davis were not certain that it was their son who had been
executed at Pulaski. They had made diligent efforts through various channels
to trace the ‘grapevine’ story that it was their Sam, but were not assured. At
last the time was set to start on the search. Mrs. Davis gave me a piece of the
plain linsey of that used for his jacket lining, and also described his boots,
and told of other things that only a good and loving mother could have thought
about. She was interrupted occasionally by suggestions from Mr. Davis.

“The start was made with two mules hitched to a very heavy carryall. We
had a meal sack containing a boiled ham and about a half bushel of corn
pones, on which their son Oscar, a small boy who was to accompany me, and I
were to live while gone.

“We reached Nashville that evening too late to get a pass, but, I procured a
metallic case and box and had them put in the conveyance. The next morning
I went to General Rousseau, who declined to give me a pass, and sent me to
General Grant’s Adjutant General, who kindly and politely, but positively, re¬
fused also, replying to all my pleadings for his mother’s sake; ‘No sir! No
Sir! No Sir!’

“I then returned to General Rousseau, whom I had known in Kentucky in
my boy-hood days, and again asked for a pass, which, after some boyhood
reminiscences not necessary to repeat, he supplied for myself, the boy, and
team to Columbia, which was as far as his lines extended, telling me that was
all he could do. I gladly accepted the pass, which was written on a piece of
paper elegantly printed, and looked like a large bank note.

“We entered the lines at Columbia and drove straight through town, not
stopping until we reached the picket on the other side, who after looking over
our pass, though he could not read it, and seeing the coffin and small boy,
permitted us to go on. The same thing occurred when we reached the picket
at Pulaski, who permitted us to enter the town. When near the square, I left
Oscar to hold to the mules while I went to the Provost Marshal to get a pass or
find out what he would do with us. His office was in the Court House. He asked

Sam Davis— Confederate Hero

how I got into Pulaski, and I handed him General Rousseau’s pass. He looked
up and curtly remarked: ‘This is no account here. What do you want?’ I
told him I had come for the body of Sam Davis who had been hanged; that
his parents wanted it at home.

“His manner at once changed and, extending his hand, he said: ‘Tell them
for me that he died the bravest of the brave, an honor to them, and with the
respect of every man in this command.’ He then asked what more he could
do to help me. I requested return passes and a permit to take up the body,
which he cheerfully gave. I also asked if he thought I would have any trouble
or interference while I was at the graveyard, and he replied: ‘No, sir. If you
do, I will give you a company — yes, a regiment, if necessary.’

""Taking advantage of his cordial words, I asked him how Sam was captured,
as Mr. Davis had requested me to spare no pains to find out how and when he
was taken. He said he did not know any of the particulars, but showed me two
books in which records were kept in his office, and the only entry, after giving
his name and description, was, as I remember: ‘Captured on the Lamb’s Ferry
road by Capt. McKenzie’s scouts.’

“Before leaving home I was referred for assistance, if necessary, while in
Pulaski, to a Mr. Richardson, who had been (if not then) the County Court
Clerk. We found him willing and ready to aid all in his power. The grave
digger agreed to take the body up for $20.00. The next morning, together
with his assistants, Mr. Richardson, Oscar and I were busy at the grave when
four or five Federal soldiers came up. One of them advanced to me, raising
his cap politely and in a subdued tone of voice, proffered for himself and
comrades to assist, if desired. I thanked him sincerely, for I had not known
what their presence might mean, but declined their services. When the box
was raised and lid removed, the cap of white was still over his head down
to his neck, tied with long strings, which were wrapped around his neck two
or three times. His boots were on, but the legs cut off at the ankles. I took
from my pocket the piece of his jacket lining and saw that they were alike.
When 1 removed the cap, I found the face was black, but recognizable. We
then transferred the body to the metallic case. During all the time the body
was being examined and transferred, the Federal soldiers stood in line with
caps off, paying tribute in acts if not words. Upon our return from the

cemetery, the Provost Marshal said the Chaplain, who was with Sam at the

gallows, had some keepsakes for the father and mother. He gave me a little
book, in which was a farewell message to his mother, and the buttons from
his coat and vest.

“The Chaplain told me that when at the scaffold, sitting on his coffin, he
talked to him about meeting his God, that he showed no fear nor uneasiness.
While in the conversation an officer came up and said: ‘Mr. Davis, I suppose

you have not forgotten General Dodge’s offer." Sam, not raising his head

said: ‘What is that?’ The officer replied: ‘Your horse and side arms, and an
escort to the Confederate lines, if you will tell who gave you those papers.’
Sam then replied, still not raising his head: ‘I ll die a thousand deaths before
I will tell.’ The officer then said: ‘Mr. Davis, I have one more question to a^k.’

Sam Davis— Confederate Hero

Sam said: ‘What is it?’ ‘I want to know if you are the man my scouts. chased
so close on Tuesday night that you crossed the road in front of them, beating
their horses in the face with your hat, but got away. Were you the man?’

“The Chaplain said Sam threw his head back and looking at the officer,
said in a quick, sharp tone of voice, ‘How do you know that?’ The Captain
answered, ‘It’s sufficient — I know it. Are you the man?’ Sam dropped his
head in a moment and replied quietly, ‘I have nothing to tell you.’

“Sam’s deliberation was clear even then, that if he confessed it was he, it
would implicate some one who had been kind to him. In a few more minutes,
without sign of fear or weakness, was ended a life that was an honor to his
family, his country and to the human race.

“We stopped the first night near Lynnville. When we got to the river near
Columbia, we found that officer in charge of troops at this point had ordered
ferry boats stopped, and there was no way to cross except by fording, as the
pontoon they were constructing would not be ready that morning. I left the
conveyance and mules with Oscar, cautioning him not to talk to anybody, while
I would go and see the officer. He was standing on the river bank when I
approached him and explained my errand. He immediately turned to an
orderly and said: ‘Go down and order the ferry boat to take that team and
corpse over the river.’

“I thanked him and started back, when I saw the conveyance completely
surrounded by soldiers. It was a very steep descent to the ferry, and I went
to the head of the mules, taking hold of the bridles to hold them back while
going down the hill, when the soldiers said, ‘Stranger, we know who this is —
You get in the wagon; well see it goes down safe,’ and so they did. They
practically carried the wagon aboard the boat, and would not leave it when
we landed on the north side. The hill was steeper to go up than the one we
came down. They ordered me to sit there and drive, and again they all got
a hand or a shoulder somewhere and pushed us to the top of the hill, and when
I thanked them, they quietly raised their caps.

“Without further incident, we reached Nashville and drove to where the
Adams’ Express Company’s office now is, which was then where our present
townsman, Mr. Cornelius, had his undertaking establishment, and turned the
body over to him with specific instructions about the shrouding. Mr. Davis
had said to me, ‘If you think it is best that Jane and I should not see him, do
as you think best about the matter.’

“On the evening of the seventh day after leaving home, we drove in the big
gate, some distance from the house, Mr. and Mrs. Davis were watching, and
when they saw the casket, Mrs. Davis threw her arms above her head and fell.
All was sorrow in that home. I had a boy catch my horse to go home to see
my old mother and father, and change clothing, etc., but Mr. Davis prevailed
upon me to stay and send for what I needed.

“The next moring, while standing out in the yard, Mr. Davis came to me,
hesitated, then catching his breath almost between each word, said: ‘John,
don’t you think it’s hard a father can’t see the face of his own child?’

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

“I replied that I thought it best he and Mrs. Davis should remember him
as they saw him last. He turned and left me. I drove the carryall that
afternoon, with the body, across the creek to the old family graveyard where
he was buried.

“In a short time, my mother died, and Mr. Davis sent over the same vehicle
that had brought Sam’s body home to take her body to the grave, and when
the boy who had driven it over started to get up to drive it to the grave, Mr.
Davis stepped up and, shaking his head, said, ‘No — -No — nobody but I can
drive that. Get down and let me get up there,’ and he did drive it. He was a
worthy sire of noble son.”

Supplemental to Mr. Kennedy’s account, Oscar Davis gave his recollections
of the incidents of that trip, which concurred closely with those of Mr. Kennedy.
He stated that while Mr. Kennedy was gone to the hotel to get some things,
some of the Federal soldiers drove up and asked if that was the body of the
young man who was hanged not long since, and being told that it was, some of
them shed tears, and said: “He ought not to have been hung, and we will have
to suffer for it sooner or later.”

At the time of identification of Sam Davis’ body, Mr. Kennedy and Mai.
A. R. Richardson, have given in written articles, that the boy was about five
feet seven or eight inches tall, of slender build.

While Mr. Kennedy was trying to learn the facts of the capture and hanging,
in Pulaski, he went to Captain Armstrong, the sympathetic provost marshal,
and said, “The boy’s father will want to know where and how he was taken”,
to which Captain Armstrong replied, “I don’t know.”

“Provost Marshal, and don’t know?” exclaimed Kennedy.

“No,” repied the officer, “It is a secret not mentioned in the report of the
arrest. Here are my books,” he continued, opening out the army records
to prove his sincerity, and allowing Mr. Kennedy to see for himself that there
was no account of the details of Sam Davis’ capture set down in the army
records. He was informed, however, that when Davis was caught he was
rigidly searched, and that accurate maps of the fortifications around Grant’s
front were found in the seat of his saddle. The soles of his boots, on being
split open, were found to contain other important papers, which proved him to
be beyond a doubt, a Confederate scout.”

To learn the truth concerning Sam Davis’ capture, Mr. Kennedy used
every means of getting reliable information, but found that mystery surrounding
the circumstances to be impenetrable. In discussing the matter afterwards,
the boy’s father significantly said to his friend: “Don’t you know John, that
if Sam was brave enough to beat the Yankees’ horses in the face with his cap,
he would have been taken alive — except through treachery ?” Yet no evidence
of treachery has ever been discovered. The veil of mystery has never been
lifted from the truth concerning the capture. Suffice it to know that Sam Davis
“suffered death on the gibbet, rather than betray his friends and his country.”

A Comrade's Story

Joshua Brown, of New York City, who belonged to the Second Kentucky
Calvary of the Confederate Army, and was a fellow scout with Samuel
Davis, tells the thrilling and awful story of his fate:

“As you have requested it, I will give you my personal recollections of the
capture, imprisonment and execution of Samuel Davis, one of the greatest
and noblest patriots who ever died for his country. Other patriots have died —
Nathan Hale of the Revolution, and Captain W. Orton Williams and Lieutenant
Peters, who were hanged at Franklin by the Federals. They knew that death
was inevitable and died like brave soldiers; but, Davis had continuance of life
and liberty offered him, a full pardon and a pass through the lines, if he would
only reveal where he got the information and the papers that were found upon
his person and in his saddle seat, but he knew that the man who gave them to
him was to that moment in jail with him That man was Colonel Shaw, chief
of General Bragg’s scouts, who had charge of the secret service of the Army
of Tennessee.

“General Bragg had sent us a few men who knew the country, into Middle
Tennessee to get all the information possible concerning the movements of the
Federal army; to find out if it was moving from Nashville and Corinth to
re-inforce Chattanooga. We were to report to Colonel Shaw or Captain
Coleman, who commanded Coleman’s scouts. We were to go south to Decatur
and send our reports by a courier line to General Bragg at Missionary Ridge.
When we received our orders, we were told that the duty was very dangerous
and that they did not expect but few of us to return; that we would probably be
captured or killed and we were cautioned against exposing ourselves unnec¬
essarily.

“After we had been in Tennessee about ten days, we watched the Sixteenth
Army Corps commanded by General Dodge, move up from Corinth to Pulaski.
We agreed that we would leave for the South on Friday, the 19th of November
1863. A number had been captured and several killed. We were to start that
night each man for himself; each of us had his own information, but I did not
write it down or make any memorandum of it for fear of being captured. I
had counted almost every regiment and all the artillery in the Sixteenth corps,
and had found out that they were moving on Chattanooga. Late in the
afternoon, we started out and ran into the Seventh Kansas calvary, known as the
‘Kansas Jay Hawkers,’ and when we were told what regiment had captured us,
we thought our time had come. We were taken to Pulaski about fifteen miles
away, and put into jail where several other prisoners had been sent, among
whom was Sam Davis. I talked with him over our prospects of imprisonment
and escape, which were very gloomy. Davis said they had searched him that
day and found some papers upon him and that he had been taken to General
Dodge’s headquarters. They had also found in his saddle seat maps and
descriptions of the fortifications at Nashville and other points and an exact
report of the Federal Army of Tennessee. They found in his boots this letter
with other papers, which were intended for General Bragg:

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

‘Giles County, Tenn., Thursday Morning,

November 18, 1863.

‘Colonel A. McKinstry, Provost Marshal-General, the Army of Tennessee,
Chattanooga.

‘Dear Sirs: — I send you seven Nashville and three Louisville papers and
one Cincinnati, with dates to the 17th — in all eleven. I also send for General
Bragg, three wash-balls of soap, three tooth brushes and two blank books.
I could not get a larger size diary for him. I will send a pair of shoes and
slippers, some more soap, gloves and socks soon.

‘The Yankees are still camped on the line of the Tennessee and Alabama
railroad. (He evidently meant Nashville and Decatur). General Dodge’s
headquarters are at Pulaski; his main force is camped from that place to
Lynville; some at Elk river, and two regiments at Athens. General Dodge
had issued an order to the people in those counties on the road to report all
stock, grain and forage to him and he says he will pay or give vouchers for it.
Upon refusal to report he will take it without pay. They are not taking all
they can find. Dodge says he knows the people are all Southern and does
not ask them to swear to a lie. All the spare forces around Nashville and
vicinity are being sent to McMinnville. Six batteries and twelve parrott guns
were sent forward on the 14lh, 15th, and 16th. It is understood that there
is hot work in front somewhere. Telegrams suppressed.

‘Davis has returned; Gregg had gone below. Everything is beginning
to work better. I send Roberts with things for you and General Bragg with
dispatches. I do not think the Federals mean to stay; they are not repairing
the main points on the road. I understand part of Sherman’s forces have
reached Shelbyville. I think part of some other than Dodge’s division came to
Lynville from the direction of Fayetteville. 1 hope to be able to post you soon.
I sent Billy Moore over in that country and am sorry to say he was captured.
One of my men has just returned from there. The general impression of the
citizens is that they will move forward some way. Their wagon trains have
returned from Nashville. Davis tells me that the line is in order to Summerville.
I send this by one of my men to that place. The dispatches sent you on the
9th with papers of the 7th, reached Decatur on the 10th at 9 p.m. Citizens
were reading the papers the next morning after breakfast. I do not think
the Mayor will do to forward them with reports. I am with high regard,

E. Coleman,

Captain Commanding Scouts’.

Here is his pass:

“Headquarters General Bragg’s Scouts, Middle Tennessee, Sept. 25th, 1863.
Samuel Davis has permission to pass on scouting duty anywhere in Middle
Tennessee of south of the Tennessee river as he may think proper. By order
of General Bragg; E. Coleman, Captain Commanding Company of Scouts.”

“The next morning Davis was again taken to General Dodge’s headquarters,
and this is what took place between them which General Dodge told me recently.

“ T took him into my private office,’ said General Dodge, ‘and I told him
that it was a very serious charge brought against him; that he was a spy and

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero 61

from what I found upon his person, he had accurate information in -regard
to my army and I must know where he obtained it. I told him that he was a
young man and did not seem to realize the danger he was in. Up to that time
he had said nothing but then he replied in the most respectful and dignified
manner: “General Dodge, I know the danger of my situation, and I am willing
to take the consequences.’

T asked him then to give me the name of the person from whom he got
the information; that I knew it must be some one near headquarters or who
had the confidence of the officers of my staff, and I repeated that I must know
the source from which it came. I insisted that he should tell me but he firmly
declined to do so. I told him that I would have to call a court-martial and have
him tried for his life and from the proofs we had they would be compelled

to condemn him; that there was no chance for him unless he gave the source

of his information. He replied: “I know that I will have to die but I will not
tell where I got the information and there is no power on earth that can make
me tell. You are doing your duty as a soldier and I am doing mine. If I have
to die, I will do so feeling that I am doing my duty to God and my country.’’

“ ‘I plead with and urged him with all the power I possessed to give me some

chance to save his life, for I discovered that he was a most admirable young
fell ow with the highest character and strictest integrity. He then said: “It is
useless to talk to me. I do not intend to do it. You can court-martial me or
do anything else you like, but I will not betray the trust imposed in me.”

“ ‘He thanked me for the interest I had taken in him and I sent him back
to prison. I immediately called a court-martial to try him.”

The following is the action of the commission, which has been furnished
me by General Dodge:

Proceedings of a Military Commission which convened at Pulaski, Tennes¬
see, by virtue of the following general order:

Headquarters Left Wing 16th A. C., Pulaski, Tennessee, November 20, 1863.
General Orders no. 72 — A Military Commission hereby appointed to meet at
Pulaski, Tennessee, on the 23rd inst., or as soon thereafter as practicable for
the trial of Samuel Davis and such other persons as may be brought before it.

Details for the Commission: 1. Colonel Madison Miller, Eighteenth Missouri
Infantry Volunteers; 2. Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas W. Gains, Fifteenth
Missouri Infantry, Volunteers; 3. Major Lathrop, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry
Volunteers, Judge Advocate. The Commission will sit without regard to hours.
By order of Brigadier-General G. W. Dodge, J. W. Barnes, Lieutenant and
Acting Adjutant-General.

Report of Commission.

“The Commission do therefore sentence him, the said Samuel Davis of
Coleman’s scouts in the service of the so called Confederate States, to be
hanged by the neck until dead at such time and place as the commanding
general shall direct, two-thirds of the Commission concurring in the sentence.

“Finding the sentence the Commission approved. The sentence will be
carried into effect on Friday, November 27, 1863, between the hours of 10 a. in.
and 2 p.m.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

“Brigadier-General T. W. Sweeney commanding the Second division, will
cause the necessary arrangements to be made to carry out this order in the
proper manner.”

“Captain Armstrong the Provost Marshal, informed Davis of the sentence
of the court-martial. He was surprised at the severe punishment — expecting
to he shot not thinking they would hang him — but he showed no fear and
resigned himself to his fate as only brave men can. That night he wrote the
following letter to his mother:

‘Pulaski, Giles County, Tenn., Nov. 26, 1863.

‘Dear Mother: — Oh how painful it is to write to you! I have got to die
tomorrow morning — to be hanged by the Federals. Mother, do not grieve
for me. I must bid you goodbye forevermore. Mother, I do not fear to die.
Give my love to all.

Your Son,

Samuel Davis.

‘Mother tell the children all to be good. I wish I could see you all once
more. I never will any more.

‘Mother and father, do not forget me, think of me when I am dead, but do
not grieve for me. It will not do any good. Father, you can send after my
remains if you want to do so. They will be at Pulaski, Tennessee. I will
leave some things too, with the hotel-keeper for you. Pulaski is in Giles
County, Tennessee, south of Columbia.

“After his sentence he was put into a cell in the jail and we did not see
anything of him until on Thursday morning, the day before the execution.
We were ordered to get ready, as we were going to be removed to the court
house in the public square, about one hundred feet from the jail. Davis was
handcuffed and was brought in just as we were eating breakfast. I gave him
a piece of meat that had been cooking and he, being handcuffed, was compelled
to eat it with both hands. He thanked me and we all bade him goodbye and
were sent to the court house and the guard was doubled around the jail.

“The next morning, Friday, November 27th, at 10 o’clock, we heard drums
and a regiment of infantry marching down to the jail. A wagon with a coffin
in it was driven up, and the provost marshal went into the jail and brought
Davis out. He got into the wagon and stood up and looked around at the
court house and seeing us at the window, bowed to us his last farewell. He
was dressed in dark brown overcoat with a cap to it which had been blue
Federal coat, such as many of us had captured and then died brown. I note
this, because it had been stated that he was dressed in citizens’ clothes. I do
not remember exactly, but I think he had on a grey jacket underneath. He
then sat down upon his coffin and the regiment moved off to the suburbs of
the town where the gallows was built.

“Upon reaching the gallows, he got out of the wagon and took his seat
on a bench under a tree. He asked Captain Armstrong how long he had to live.
He replied, ‘Fifteen minutes.’ He then asked Captain Armstrong the news.
He told him of the battle of Missionary Ridge, and that our army had been
defeated. He expressed much regret and said: ‘The boys will have to fight

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

the battles without me.’ Armstrong said: ‘I regret very much having, to do
this: I feel that I would almost rather die myself than to do what I have to do.*
Davis replied: ‘I do not think hard of you; you are only doing your duty.’
General Dodge still had hopes that Davis would recant when he saw that death
was staring him in the face and that he would reveal the name of the traitor
in his camp. He sent Captain Chicksaw of his staff to Davis. He rapidly
approached the scaffold, jumped from his horse and went directly to Davis,
asked if it would not be better for him to speak the name of the one from whom
he received the contents of the document found upon him, adding: ‘It is not
too late yet.’ And then in his last extremity, Davis turned upon him and said:
‘If I had a thousand lives I would lose them all here, before I would betray
my friends or the confidence of my informer.’

‘"He then requested him to thank General Dodge for his efforts to save him
hut to repeat that he could not accept the terms. Turning to the chaplain,
he gave him a few keep-sakes to send to his mother. He then said to the Provost
Marshal, ‘I am ready,’ ascended the scaffold and stepped upon the trap.

“Thus passed away one of the sublimest and noblest characters known in
history, and in future ages will be pointed to as an act worthy of emulation.’

In a private letter with the sketch, Comrade Brown writes: “I wish to say
further that General Dodge had been very kind and given me every assistance
in getting the reports from the War Department and he hopes they will build
a monument to him and place it in the Capitol square at Nashville. I think it
ought to be of bronze, representing Davis as a Confederate soldier.”

The twenty large and six small buttons that he had cut from his coat for
his mother have been preserved.

Mr. Brown, who formerly lived in Nashville, is widely known. Thousands
will ever feel grateful to him for putting on record this vivid tribute to as noble
a man as ever gave up his life for any cause.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

~S)faue (a} u arteri — am ^t)aui$ JJc

ome

Pewter Canteen Used by Sam Davis

The pewter canteen used by Sam Davis was presented to the State of
Tennessee for safe keeping in 1928.

The old fashioned round pewter canteen which the boy hero gave way
when he became a scout for the Confederate army now belongs to the State
of Tennessee in which he was born and for which he died.

Miss Bethenia Nance of Rutherford County had the latest possession of the
boy hero. The canteen was given by Sam to Miss Nance’s brother-in-law,
William B. Owen, together with his gun when the young hero decided to become
a scout. During the war the gun was lost, but the canteen remained in
possession of Miss Nance and her sister, Mrs. Owen for many years.

Tributes to Sam Davis

(Published in 1869, Home Journal Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Nov. 12, 1926. Written
by the supposed sweetheart of Sam Davis, and signed “Louise.”)

Highest on the head roll of fame,

The name of Davis shines as bright

As yon stars that luminous flame,

On the sable brow of night!

With undimmed glory radiant
‘Twill forever brightly shine,

Won from life — to liberty lent —

A noble death for truth divine.

No hero of the ancient orient
Could such unyielding valor boast.

As that boy, whose deeds resplendent
Glory won for the cause now lost.

Ere life had reached youth’s full tide,

He left his home and mother dear;

With Spartan valor and manly pride
He grasped his shield — made forman fear.

When on Pulaski’s fatal field
He was seized and held a spy —

Told he must not the traitor shield.

Or most surely he must die!

He asked, “How many hours have I?”

“Ten minutes more to you remain!”

“Tell them no! I can dare to die!

I’ll not my proud escutcheon stain!”

Homage to his country he did lend —

Ne’er cowered in the deadly fight,

And died rather than betray a friend,

For God, liberty and the right!

When life to him was offered as the price
Of honor, plighted faith and truth,

For another he paid the sacrifice —

How bravely died the Southern youth.

Memorial incense shall ever rise
From the dust of the martyr’s tomb,

While honor gilds the deathless prize
For glory of his tragic doom!

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

Sam Davis— Confederate Hero

No prouder name among the brave
Who died to save their truth —

A halocaust on liberty’s grave,

Offered by that noble Southern youth.

Immortal truth can never die,

Although its light awhile may dim,

For vice and error it will outvie
If faith its vestal fires shall trim!

With silent harps along the strand,

Still girth with immortal truth,

Down trodden Tennessee shall stand,
And with new reviving youth !

— Louise

]aui3

The following tribute to Sam Davis, by Mrs. W. B.
Romine, tells, in a few words, much of the story of the young
hero.

Pulaski’s fame, so fair and white,

Was blistered with a withering blight;

For the darkest dead of the four years’ strife
Was the taking here of a fair, young life.

’Twas a deed which the ages shall not erase,

’Twas a deed which time cannot efface:

For ’Twas from her own sacred sod
Sam Davis’s soul went home to God.

Epitaphs

Upon one side of the fine bronze statue on Capitol Hill, in Nashville, erected
to the memory of Sam Davis, is inscribed:

“The boys will have to fight the battle without me.”

“He gave all he had — life.”

“He gained all he lacked — immortality.”

On the other side of the monument are to be found the following words
from the pen of Ella Wheeler Wilcox:

“When the Lord calls up earth’s heroes
To stand before His face,

Full many a name unknown to fame
Shall ring from that high place.

Then out of a grave in the Southland,

At the just God’s call and beck,

Shall one man raise with fearless eyes
And a rope about his neck.

Oh, Southland, bring your laurels.

And add your wreath, oh, North!

Let glory claim the hero’s name
And tell the world his worth!”

Sam Davis Home . A Shrine

By an Act of the Legislature of Tennessee (Public Acts), 1927, the Sam
Davis home was purchased by the State of Tennessee, and will be preserved,
which is to stand as an everlasting monument to the memory of the lad who
knowing it meant death, said “I would rather die a thousand deaths than betray
a friend.”

Not for a feat of physical courage, nor for any prowess in arms, though
he was not lacking in either, but as an example of moral courage he stands
forth among his fellowmen as the greatest of all, sacrificing his life to save
his honor. In thus preserving the boyhood home of the outstanding hero of
the sixties, the state is keeping before the present and future generations of
Tennesseans an example of patriotism of the highest type, which should be an
inspiration to other sons to develop in character such strength that is the test
of real greatness.

Prominent in the movement to secure this old home place and dedicate it
as a memorial to Sam Davis was the late, Dr. J. S. Lowry, of Smyrna, who gave
himself whole-heartedly to its fulfillment, and who added to the collection of
relics connected with the life and war service of young Sam Davis, which are
displayed attractively in the home. Associated with him in that effort and later
in the care and improvement of house and grounds were the Davis relatives and
friends in the home community. In addition to the purchase price and the
amount needed for necessary repairs and improvements, the state makes an
annual appropriation for its upkeep, which sum is augmented by the admittance
fees and contributions from the treasury of the Sam Davis Memorial Associa¬
tion, of Smyrna, organized in 1930 for the purpose of sharing in this patriotic
task. Through its efforts especially, some of the original furnishings have been
secured by purchase or gifts and other furniture in keeping with the period of
the families’ occupancy is being added from time to time, some of these pieces
coming through Chapters of the United Daughters of the Confederacy over
the state, whose members also have a special interest in this memorial to the
boy who glorified his Confederate service. The handsome tablet on the great
rock under an old oak tree on the lawn was placed by Nashville Chapter No. 1,
U. D. C., in 1932, to mark the place where Sam Davis hid his horse on the
night of his last visit home; only a few days before his capture; and other
Chapters have equal interest in paying tribute to him as a Confederate soldier.

Back of the house and beyond the garden is the family burial square, where
Sam Davis sleeps, and within the shadow of his monument are the graves of
father and mother.

The Sam Davis Memorial Home Association was organized in 1930 with
officers as follows:

Mrs. Media Davis Sinnott (Mrs. E. A. Sinnott), Regent.

Mrs. Roy Rascoe, Vice-Regent.

Mrs. E. E. King, Recording Secretary.

Mrs. N. F. Molloy, Corresponding Secretary.

Mrs. H. R. Edmondson, Local Treasurer.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

Directors: Mrs. E. E. King, Mrs. Eleanor Gillespie, Mrs. W. R. Coleman, Mrs.
W. C. Hibbitt, Mrs. James Cannon, Mrs. W. H. King, Mrs. Morton Mc-
Murray, Mrs. Jarman Edwards, Mrs. N. F. Molloy.

Trustees: Governor of State of Tennessee, Comptroller of State of Tennessee,
Treasurer of State of Tennessee, Historian of State of Tennessee, Mr.
Robert Bell, Mr. Walter King, Mr. James Richardson, Mr. Frank Peyton,
Mr. Allen Ragland.

Governors of Tennessee who have been ex-officio Trustees: Governor Austin
Peay, Governor Henry H. Horton, Governor Hill McAllister, Governor
Gordon Browning, Governor Prentice Cooper.

Other officers and Trustees who have served since organization:

Trustees: Mr. Eugene C. Holloway, Sr., 1937; Dr. J. S. Lowry, 1939; Mr. C. C.
Flannery, former State Commissioner of Agriculture, 1945.

Directors: Mrs. Thomas Newbill, 1932; Mrs. A. B. Gooch, 1932; Mrs. Robert
Weakley, 1935; Mrs. T. C. Felder, 1935; Mrs. Harvey A. Cragon, Jr.,
1936; Mrs. R, H. Poindexter, 1936; Miss Margaret Coleman, 1937; Mrs.
Sam Coleman, 1939; Mrs. J. W. Charlton, 1939; Mrs. R. L. Wilkinson,
1939; Mrs. J. H. C. Ford, 1940; Mrs. Y. W. Haley, 1940.

Past Regents: Mrs. Walter Hibbett, 1934-1935; Mrs. Walter H. King, 1935-1939;
Mrs. Media Davis Sinnott, 1939-1943; Mrs. T. M. Neel, 1943-1944; Mrs.
J. W. Charlton, 1944-1945; Mrs. H. B. Blue, 1945 - .

Treasurers : Mr. James Miller, 1934-1939; Mr. R. F. Peyton, 1939 - .

The present custodian of the Sam Davis home is Mrs. Media Davis Sinnott,
daughter of Charles L. Davis, Jr., brother of Sam Davis, the Tennessee Hero,
with present officers as follows:

Trustees: Honorable James Nance McCord, Governor of Tennessee; Mr. Jere
Maddux, Comptroller of Tennessee; Mr. Cecil Wallace, Treasurer of Ten¬
nessee; Mr. Stanley Horn, Historian of State of Tennessee; Mr. Paul
Matthews, Commissioner of Conservation of Tennessee; Mr. E. O. Van
Cleave, Commissioner of Agriculture of Tennessee; Mr. Knox Hutchinson,
Mr. George S. Buckner, Mr. W. H. King, Mr. 0. B. Coleman, Mr. R. F.
Peyton, Mr. J. W. Dennis.

Board of Directors: Mrs. J. W. Charlton, Mrs. Sory Bailey, Mrs. Thomas New¬
bill, Miss Annie Cody, Mrs. Walter King, Mrs. Eugene Morris, Mrs. P. G.
Tucker.

Officers: Mrs. H. B. Blue, Regent; Mrs. Tilden Proctor, Vice-Regent; Mrs.
Willie T. Koonce, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Hal Hughey, Corresponding
Secretary; Mr. Frank Peyton, Treasurer; Mrs. Y. W. Haley, Special
Legislative Chairman.

Before ending this story, it is only fitting that recognition be given to Mrs.
Y. W. Haley, of Nashville, through whose wisdom and untiring efforts this
project was begun. Mrs. Haley not only made the suggestion of the project,
but has steared it through. She was appointed Legislative Chairman by Mrs.
H. B. Blue, the present Regent, and gave unsparingly of her time and energy
towards fulfillment of the endeavor.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

Monuments to Sam Davis

SAM DAVIS MEMORIAL WINDOW

' f -

Presented to Confederate Museum at Richmond. Take Place November 11,
1912, with interesting Ceremonies — Real Work of Art and Its Inscriptions —
Number of Volunteer State Women to Attend . . . How Money Was Raised
for Window — Boy Hero Property Remembered in National Way.

(Re-print: Nashville American, Nov. 10, 1912).

■K*

The residence of Jefferson Davis when President of the Confederacy at its
capitol, will be the scene, Monday, November 11, of exercises of a peculiarly
interesting character. The historic building in Richmond, Virginia, is now
the Confederate museum, maintained by the United Daughters of the Con¬
federacy, and in its walls are treasured, by the various state divisions of that
great organization of 80,000 devoted women, relics of the lost cause. Ten¬
nessee on the above date, will present to the museum the Sam Davis memorial
window, the tribute of womanhood of the Volunteer state to its boy hero. A
number of delegates from the state to the national convention, which convenes
Tuesday in Washington, D. C., will stop over in Richmond to attend the un¬
veiling exercises.

The Tennessee division will be officially represented by Mrs. Harriet E.
Holland, its president, who in. the enforced absence of Mrs. A. R. Dodson of
Humboldt, chairman of the state committee, will make the presentation address,
and Mrs. Noah P. Randolph, of Richmond, Va., vice-regent of the Tennessee
room, which, by the way, is one of the most attractive in the Museum, will
make the speech of acceptance. Among the prominent Tennessee members of
the U.D.C. who will be present are: Mrs. Holland, Mrs. Edith Bond, Miss
Evelyn Pigues, Mrs. L. E. Owen, of Musidora McCorry Chapter of Jackson;
Mrs. Elizabeth Shyrock, president; and Mrs. James D. Senter, vice-president
of Nathan Bedford Forrest chapter, Humboldt; Mrs. T. J. Latham, honorary
president Tennessee division, of Memphis; Mrs. William Hume, honorary
president Tennessee division, Spring Hill; Mrs. John P. Hickman, Nashville,
who is a member of the state committee.

The window is a real work of art. It has a bust picture of Sam Davis
surrounded by Confederate flags in colors, draped. The seal of the state of
Tennessee is there, and plainly written near it are these words: "‘Erected by
Tennessee Division U.D.C. in honor of Tennessee’s Boy Hero.”

There, too, is the noble sentiment which fell from his lips on the threshold of
passage from time to eternity: “I would die a thousand deaths before I would
betray a friend.”

The lower part of the window shows tents, guns and cannon balls. Such
will be this, the latest tribute which Tennessee pays to the sublime spirit of the
youth who on that chill November day of 1863, wrote his name among the
immortals of the southland.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

FIRST MEMORIAL AT SMYRNA

The first memorial to the memory of Sam Davis was the beautiful monument
which guards his grave in the family cemetery near Smyrna close by the home
of his birth, where all the years of his young life were happily spent. This shaft
of Italian marble was placed there by his father, soon after the war, and cost
$2,000. It is about twenty-five feet high and bears these words:

“In memory of Sam Davis, a member of the First Tennessee regiment of
Volunteers, Born October 6, died November 27, 1863, age 21 years. He laid
down his life for his country. A truer soldier, a purer patriot, a braver man
never lived; who suffered death on the gibbet rather than betray his friends and
his country.5'

On October 11, 1906, the Giles county chapter of the Daughters of the
Confederacy unveiled at Pulaski, the imposing monument which honors the
deathless memory of Sam Davis. It stands on the south side of the public
square, near the court house. The name “Sam Davis”, is deeply graven on
the face of the second granite die; a life-size figure of the boy martyr stands
upon a massive base, and the story of his life is told in these inscriptions:

South side — “Born October 7, 1842, near Smyrna, Rutherford County,
Tennessee. Though a Confederate soldier in line of duty, he was executed as a
spy by the Federals at Pulaski, November 27, 1863. ‘Let come what must,
I keep my trust. Sam Davis.’

East side — “If I had a thousand lives I would lose them all before I would
betray my friends or the confidence of my informer.”

North side — “Erected by the Giles county chapter, U.D.C., October 11,
1906.”

West side — “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his
life for his friends.”

The stately monument to Sam Davis which stands on the capitol grounds
in Nashville, is the work of the noted sculptor, Zolnay, and was erected by
contributions from both north and south. Mr. S. A. Cunningham, editor of
the Confederate Veteran, conceived the idea of this noble and worthy tribute,
and the unveiling of the monument occurred in 1909. Graven on its face
are a few sentences which tell of the brief life and sublime death of the young
hero. The observer will read a verse from the well known poem of Ella
Wheeler Wilcox, “Sam Davis” and these words:

“1842 Sam Davis 1863”

“The boys will have to fight the battles without me.” He gave all he had

_ life; he gained all he lacked — immortality. This monument is erected by

contributions from citizens of every state in the American union, on the site
authorized by the Fifty-first general assembly of the state of Tennessee, 1909.

76 Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

RAISING FUNDS BEGINS

It was at the convention of the Tennessee division of the Daughters of the
Confederacy held at Jackson in 1909, that the work of raising funds for a
memorial window to Sam Davis was inaugurated. The idea originated with
Mrs. A. R. Dodson of Humboldt. Mrs. Dodson in September 1909, visited the
Confederate Museum in Richmond, Virginia, and was struck with the beauty
of the windows in the different state rooms of the Museum, each provided
in tribute to some loved hero of the Confederacy. Although the Tennessee
section held numerous relics of her soldiers in gray and portraits of sons who
had been officers during the civil war, there was no memorial window, and at
once the idea came to Mrs. Dodson, that Sam Davis, whose memory perhaps,
is dearer and tenderer to Tennessee, than that of any other of their heroes of
the lost cause, should be there honored. At the Sam Davis anniversary
exercises held by the Nathan Bedford Forrest chapter, U.D.C., of Humboldt,
following the visit of Mrs. Dodson to the museum, the suggestion, which was
carried out, was made by Mrs. Dodson and was received with enthusiasm. It
was voted to present a request to that effect to the convention to soon be held
at Jackson, and this was formally done through Mrs. W. W. Baird, delegate
from the Humboldt chapter.

At the Nashville convention in 1911, Mrs. Baird, chairman of the memorial
window committee, reported that $178.60 had been secured. The membership
of the committee then was as follows: Mrs. W. W. Baird, Mrs. Nora Sharpe,
Mrs. James A. Hensley, Mrs. Charles Stacker, Mrs. J. C. Estes, Mrs. Harry
Miller, Mrs. Emma Nell Gates, Mrs. H. M. Nash, Jr., Mrs. John C. Sweeney,
Miss Libbie Morrow and Miss Elsie Abernathy.

The first chapter donation for the fund was $30.00 contributed by the
Nathan Bedford Forrest chapter of Humboldt; $100.00 contributed by the
Tennessee division at the Clarksville convention in 1910. About $100.00 which
had remained as a surplus after paying for the monument to Davis on Capitol
hill, was handed over to the U.D.C. for the memorial window, the cost of which
was about $300.00.

* *

The organization of the Sam Davis Memorial Home Association, organized
1930.

.v. .v. x

In the spring of 1938 the local chapters of the Daughters of the Confed¬
eracy, unveiled a marker to Sam Davis, at the corner of the Murfreesboro to
Nashville highway and Smyrna road or better known as the Sam Davis road.
This marker for the purpose of instructing tourists where to turn off the main
highway to go to the Sam Davis home near Smyrna.

* * *

A life size portrait of Sam Davis, the outstanding art decoration in the
lobby of the Sam Davis hotel, on Seventh Avenue, North, Nashville, Tennessee,
painted by the Nashville artist, Cornelius Hankins. The hotel also stands as
a memorial to the hero of the sixties.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero 77

Joseph Barras, sculptor and artist of Chattanooga, portrait of Sam Davis.
The original drawing in Chattanooga public library.

A marker near Minor Hill, fourteen miles southwest of Pulaski, marking
the place of capture of Sam Davis in 1863.

* * *

Tablet to Davis at the Davis home erected by Nashville Chapter No. 1,
U.D.C., 1932.

* *

Probably the most outstanding monument to the Southern hero was the
purchase by the State of Tennessee of the Davis home near Smyrna.

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

AUTHORITIES USED

Confederate Veteran, February, 1896, article by Edith Pope.

Nashville Banner, March 13, 1932.

“History of Civil War” by Draper.

Reports of Correspondence in Official War Records.

“Life of T. J. Jackson” by Dabney.

“Life of Robert E. Lee.”

“Rise and Fall of the Confederacy” by Davis.

“History of Davidson County, Tennessee” by Clayton.

“Old Tales Retold” by Mrs. Octavia Zollicoffer Bond.

“History of U. S.” by Susan P. Lee and Louise Manly, 1899.

N. C. &= St. L. News, September, 1928.

“Nashville Illustrated in Colors” by Gerald Boylin.

Scrapbook of Giles County, Mms. Clippings, Tennessee State Library.

Nashville Banner, Sunday, December 18, 1927, Wm. Beard.

“A Monument to Sam Davis of Tennessee,” State Library.

Scrapbood of Sam Davis, Tennessee State Library.

Nashville Tennessean, August 22, 1920.

“Booklet,” Memorial Col. Richard Owen, the Good Samaritan of Camp Morton,
Published in Confederate Veteran, Nashville, Tennessee.

Daily Leaf -Chronicle, Clarksville, Tennessee, August 23, 1925.

Home Journal, Murfreesboro, November 12, 1926.

Daily Times, Chattanooga, May 1, 1925.

Nashville T ennessean, October 23, 1933.

Nashville T ennessean, October 6, 1930.

Nashville Tennessean, Sunday, August, 1925.

Nashville Banner, July 22, 1926.

The Pulaski Chanticlear of December 1, 1863.

Winchester Chronicle, May 3, 1928.

“Sam Davis” The Confederate Scout . . . W. D. Fox, Nashville, Tennessee, 1896.
“Pulaski Citizen,” Pulaski, Tennessee, by W. B. Romine, 1928.

“Historic Pulaski” by W. T. Richardson, 1913.

“Heroes in Gray” by Samuel W. Sherrill, A.M., Paris, Tennessee, 1909.

“The Scout” by C. W. Tyler, Pub. Cumberland Press, 1911.

Nashville American, September 25, 1895.

Family Statements from Davis Family.

Writings of Joshua Brown of New York.

Nashville American, May 24, 1896, by E. D. Hancock.

“Battles and Sketches of Army of Tennessee” by Bronfield L. Ridley.

Reports of Brig.-Genl. John K. Jackson, C.S.A.

GENEALOGY

44 Happy he who remembers his progenitors
with pride , who relates with pleasure to the
listener the story of their greatness , of their
deeds and silently rejoicing sees himself
linked to the end of this goodly chain”

— Goethe.

Davis Family

?:) . ' - . '

The Davis Family is one of the largest early American families and seems
to be represented by a number of different immigrants who came to America
at a very early date. I could take space and time to give you a brief of no less
than a dozen different branches, with several varied spellings, such as Davis,
Daves, David, Davie, Davy, etc.

Since this outline is only to show the lineage of one particular branch,
that of Sam Davis, the Tennessee hero, and not treating the Davis name in
general, all other branches will be eliminated.

No effort has been made to trace this lineage beyond David Davis of
Middlesex County, Virginia, who apparently was the progenitor. David Davis
died in Middlesex County, leaving a will dated Feb. 3, 1712, probated 3 March
1712 Book A. p 12, in which he mentions a son John Davis to have a
plantation; a son David Davis to have the remainder of the land; to William
Davis (not called son, but indicated) ; wife Mary or Martha; daughter Martha
and daughter Catherine Davis.

David Davis married Martha King in St. Andrews Parish, Virginia (St.
Andrews Par. Reg. p. 11), 1689.

John Davis, son of David Davis and wife Martha, was baptized 10 November
1690 in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia (Christ Church
Parish, page 50) . In the same church register we find that John Davis married
Elizabeth Rhodes in 1733.

John Davis and wife Elizabeth were parents of at least two children born
while they were in Middlesex County, and recorded in Christ Church Parish
register as:

1. John Davis, born Feb. 26, baptized March 17, 1739.

2. Lewis Davis, born Jan. 2, 1744.

There were probably other children of John and Elizabeth (Rhodes)
Davis, not shown in the parish register.

John Davis and wife, Elizabeth appear to have left Middlesex County, about
1745, moving to St. Andrews Parish, Prince George County, Virginia, later
Brunswick County, and still later Mecklenburg County. The destruction of
records in Prince George County make it impossible to gather a great deal
regarding them while in that county.

There was a John Davis, who made a will which is of record in Brunswick
County, (W.B.3. p.40) dated 11 Nov. 1748 proved 3 Sept. 1751, in which he
mentions sons John and Matthew and daughter Rejoice, wife of John Duke;
and his wife Mary; also grandson, son of son Matthew and granddaughter
Frances daughter of Frances and John Duke. He mentions his seven sons, but
does not call them by name. There is some indication that this might be the
John Davis whose wife in 1733 and 1744 was Elizabeth, but not sufficient
evidence to be conclusive.

John Davis’ wife Elizabeth, possibly died in Prince George County, there¬
fore, his will is no doubt among the lost records. Then again, John Davis of

Davis Family

Brunswick County, wife Mary, may have been the same as John, the father of
Lewis Davis, born 1744, but with a second wife at the time of his death.

Nevertheless, we are positive that Lewis Davis was the son of John Davis
and wife Elizabeth, from the baptismal record.

The first definite information we have found on Lewis Davis, after his
birth record is in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, where in 1790, he was living
at which time he is shown in the tax list of tithables for 1790 (often referred
to as the 1790 census) with five whites in his household, including himself and
indicating that he was married at that time with a family. He was listed in
the district of Jesse Sanders at the time. He does not appear to have been
active during the Revolutionary War, for what reason we do not know.

The name Lewis, spelled as Lewis and not Louis (frequently confused),
is a given name which seems identical in the Davis family of several branches.
The first mention of Lewis Davis in Virginia, coming to my attention is 1704
in Prince William County, as a witness to the will of Christopher Pace (Va.
Mag. 25 p. 70). This same Lewis Davis is mentioned again on Sept. 17, 1711
in Hanover County, with reference to land he had adjoining William Harris,
Edward Bradley, Capt. Thomas West, John Pettis, James Terry, Mr. Minron,
Col. Walker and Mr. Henry Fox. (St. Paul Parish register, New Kent Co. Va.
1760-1786. p. 202).

In the lineage and descendants of the Morgan Davis family, many of whom
settled in Dinwiddie County, from Hanover County, the name Lewis runs
through several lines, among which was Lewis Davis, born in 1809 in Lincoln
County, Kentucky, who migrated to Obion County, Tennessee. This Lewis
Davis was the son of William Davis, son of James F. Davis, son of David
Davis, son of Evan Davis, son of Morgan Davis. There is probably a close
connection between the Morgan Davis family and the David Davis family
of Middlesex County, since the names Lewis and David run all through both
branches.

There is a will dated April 1, 1735 (no county given) of Arthur Davis in
which he mentions, sons Arthur and Lewis. He leaves to Arthur land on ye
Rainbow bank and to Lewis, 200 acres on Banbow (Rainbow) creek. He
mentions also, a son-in-law, William Fork, 100 acres adjoining Lewis. This
Arthur Davis’ wife was Elizabeth. Sons Arthur and Lewis named as executors.
Witnessed by Samuel Wheatley and Stephen Andrews and was proved by
Governor Johnston at Edenton, North Carolina. (Grimes N. C. Wills).

One Leuis (Lewis) Davis left will in Southampton County, Virginia
(W. B. 2. p. 309) 24 March 1771, proved April 11, 1771, in which he says
“sick and weak’’ and mentions his mother Elizabeth; sister-in-law Rachel Davis
giving her use of land in Southampton county had by death of brother John
Davis, containing 320 acres. He also had land in Nansemond county, Virginia.

There is on record the estate of a Samuel Davis in Southampton county,
dated Dec. 11, 1766 proved Dec. 17, 1768, but no children are mentioned,
however, from the transactions of lands your writer is of the opinion that this
Samuel is probably the father of Lewis and John Davis mentioned in the
same county, however, the mention of his mother Elizabeth, indicates that this

Davis Family v 85

Lewis Davis is probably the same as Lewis Davis, son of Arthur shown in
Grimes wills, whose mother was Elizabeth.

Joseph Bridger had a son William Bridger, who was given land on Chowan
River in North Carolina and land bought of Lewis Davis where he then resided
(Wills Isle of Wight Co. Va. in 17th Century, by Boddie, will of William
Bridger) .

Still another Lewis Davis left will in Halifax County, North Carolina,
dated Aug. 21, 1760 proved Sept. 1760, wife Martha. There is mentioned
Sarah, daughter of William Whitehead and a cousin, Lewis Lewis. Mention
is also made of John Davis, son of Thomas Davis. Martha Davis widow of
Lewis, made will Nov. 20, 1760 in Halifax County, proved the same year, in
which she mentions cousin Nathan Whitehead, Lewis Lewis and Sarah White-
head. There is a deed in Halifax County, North Carolina which shows that
Lewis Davis was formerly of Edgecombe County, North Carolina.

In Nash County, North Carolina 1780 is the will of a Lewis Davis,
mentioning children Diocletian, Young, Priscilla, Lobycy and Tabitha Davis.
I have identified this Lewis Davis as a brother of Thomas Davis (W. B. 1.
p. 153) Halifax County, North Carolina, Oct. 29, 1764 proved Jan. 1765,
naming, sons Frederick, Goodman, Dolphin, Thomas, Archibald, Onandates,
nephew Dioclesian, son of Lewis Davis; brother Lewis Davis.

There are several deeds in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, before
1760, referring to Lewis Davis brother of Thomas, and Lewis Davis, who
died in 1760.

In Franklin County, Virginia, (W.B.l.p.60) a William Davis left will
17 Jan. 1790 proved 1 May 1790, wife Ruth, son Lewis Davis; son-in-law
Adam Barnes and Lewis Davis, executors.

There appeared in Albemarle County, Virginia, a Lewis Davis who also
appears in Orange County, Virginia. He is probably a brother of Landon
Davis and son of Robert Davis, who left Albemarle and Amherst Counties,
Virginia, and located near Raleigh, North Carolina, and the same Lewis Davis
as shown in the 1790 census of North Carolina for Wake County, while at
the same time owned lands in Albemarle and Orange Counties, Virginia. Robert
Davis married first Miss Hughes of Hanover County, Virginia, and moved to
Amherst County about 1720. He married (2) Miss Atkins, the mother of
Lewis and Landon. He had issue by his first wife also. He had to flee the
Colony of Virginia on account of trouble with Nicholas (Nath) Davis (“Our
kin” by Ackerly and Parker).

One Lewis Davis left will in North Carolina, 1797, but left no son Lewis.

A Lewis Davis is mentioned as “son” in will of Daniel Davis of Berkley
County, Virginia, 1800-4, Daniel’s wife was Catherine.

In Anson County, North Carolina, there was a Christopher Davis who left
will, naming wife, Mary; children, Arthur, Thomas, John, Elizabeth, Sarah
Benton, Joseph, Hezekiah, and Lewis Davis. It would appear that Lewis Davis
of Anson County, son of Christopher, located in Pitt County, North Carolina.

The tax list of Bedford County, Virginia, 1782-1787, shows a John Lewis
Davis. He married Jean Edmondson 16 April, 1766, (Douglas Parish Register

86 Davis Family

p. 103). They had a daughter, Axia Davis, April 16, 1766 (Doug. Par. Reg.
p. 184).

The 1790 census of Virginia, for Norfolk County, list a Lewis Davis in that
county. At that same time there was a Lewis Davis in Dobbs County, N. C.;
one in Wilkes County, N. C.; also a Lewis, Senior, and a Lewis, Jr., in Pitt
County, N. C.

Lewis Cookson Davis, a Revolutionary Soldier, lived in Hanover County,
Virginia, in 1790.

Rutherford County, Tennessee, wills for 1835 shows that a Lewis Davis
died in that county, wife, Elizabeth; children named, Elizabeth, Mary, Martha,
William Lewis, James Monroe, and Nicholas Davis. This same Lewis Davis
was in Rutherford in the census of 1830 with his age given as between 20 and
30 years with a family.

Lewis Davis, of Mecklenburg County, Virginia, married Bridgett Gee, on
June 9, 1795 (M. B. Meek. Co., Va.). He appears to have lived near or on the
line of Brunswick and Mecklenburg Counties since he had lands in both
counties. It was not until 1797 that he possessed any land in Mecklenburg,
according to the deed books in that county. On December 31, 1824, Willis L.
Davis, and Sarah, his wife; Charles L. Davis and Margaret, his wife; John
Thompson and Rebeckah, his wife; and, Gregory B. Hudson and Bridgett, his
wife, conveyed to Drury Pennington fifteen acres of land adjoining “said Pen¬
nington” . . . “and estate of Major David Pennington.” (Meek. D. B., 1824).
This same land had been purchased on October 7, 1797, by Lewis Davis from
Freeman Short, at which time the deed recites that the land containing fifteen
acres adjoined David Pennington (Meek. Co. D. B. 9, p. 348).

Lewis Davis resided in the vicinity of Brodnax which is in Brunswick
County. He was between Brodnax and Taylor’s Creek (in Mecklenburg Co.).
All the lands through this section were originally in possession of the Penning¬
ton’s family descendants of Major David Pennington.

Lewis Davis died in 1801; his estate is on record in Brunswick County,
Virginia. He left no will, only an account.

Bridgett Gee Davis married in the following year, 1802, Gregory B. Hudson
and lived in or near the Mecklenburg line in Brunswick County. Mr. Hudson
died, account of his estate, 1848, Brunswick County, Virginia. (Bruns. W. B. 15,
p. 107). Mrs. Bridgett Hudson’s account of estate recorded in Brunswick
County, 1854. (W. B. Bruns. 17).

Bridgett had at least one child, a daughter, Jane, born by her second
husband, Gregory B. Hudson. She married in Mecklenburg County, November
10, 1827, Wm. Iverson Gresham and moved to Rutherford County, Tennessee,
near her half-brother, Charles Lewis Davis, soon afterwards, where he trans¬
acted business with him. (See deeds).

By his wife, Bridgett Gee, Lewis Davis had issue:

1. Willis L. Davis, born, 1796, in Brunswick County, Virginia, married in
that county, January 24, 1813, Sarah M. Thompson, daughter of Robert Thomp¬
son (Bruns. M. B.).

Davis Family

£>7

2. Rebeckah Davis, was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, September
28, 1798, married in Brunswick County, March 28, 1816, John Thompson, who
was born in Brunswick County, December 19, 1795. He died October 10, 1860,
in Lauderdale County, Tennessee, at or near Ripley (Bruns. M. B.). (Thomp¬
son Bible) .

3. Charles Lewis Davis, was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, 1799-
1800, according to the U. S. Census report of 1850 and 1860. He married as
his first wife Miss Margaret Saunders, in Mecklenburg County, December 21,
1824. She was the daughter of John Saunders, of Mecklenburg County. She
died in 1840 and Charles Lewis Davis married as his second wife, Miss Jane
Simmons, daughter of Edmund Simmons and wife Elizabeth (Betty) Collier
of Mecklenburg County, Virginia.

By her second husband, Gregory B. Hudson, Bridgett Gee had:

Jane Brooks Hudson, who married in Mecklenburg County, November 10,
1827, Wm. Iverson Gresham.

Rebecca Davis, daughter of Lewis Davis, granddaughter of John Davis, and
great-granddaughter of David Davis, was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia,
September 28, 1798; when she was eighteen years old married John Thompson,
born December 19, 1795, and died October 28, 1860. They were married in
Brunswick County, Virginia, March 28, 1816, by the Reverend Thomas Adams,
of Lunenburg County, Virginia. (Burns. Co., Va., M. B. gives her name as
“Davy” instead of “Davis.”).

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson with their family, left Mecklenburg County, Vir¬
ginia, about the same time as did Charles Lewis Davis, 1825. The Thompson
family is thought to have stopped in Rutherford County, Tennessee, with the
Davises for a short time before moving on westward into Lauderdale County,
Tennessee; some descendants locating in Kentucky and Virginia.

The Thompson family bible, in possession of Mrs. E. E. Heath, Paducah,
Kentucky, has the following entries, children of John Thompson and Rebecca A.
Davis, his wife:

“John Thompson and Rebecca Ann Davis, his wife, was married on March
28th, 1816, in Brunswick County, Virginia, by the Rev. Thos. Adams of
Lunenburg, Va. John Thompson was born Dec. 19, 1795, died Oct. 28, 1860.
Rebecca A. Thompson born Sept. 28, 1798, died (not given). Children:

1. Albert Tary Thompson, born 2-17-1817.

2. Selina Ann Thompson, born 5-30-1819, married Moses Enos Stone. She
died 2-6-1882.

3. Tomela Adams Thompson, born 10-1-1824, married William A. Wood.
She died 9-6-1873.

4. Addison Wells Thompson, born 6-28-1826. Died 4-27-1891.

5. Robert Lewis D. Thompson, born 1-25-1828. Died 1-31-1867.

6. John Peter Thompson, born 9-1-1830. Died 6-28-1863.

7. Amy Tabitha Thompson, born 2-7-1833, married P. M. Haliburton. She
died July 20, 1858.

Davis Family

Mrs. Lyda Heath Travis, Gilbertsville, Kentucky, gives the following record
of the family of Selina Ann Thompson and her husband, Moses Enos Stone.
Moses Enos Stone was the son of John Stone and Mournin Crow, his wife, of
Marshall County, Kentucky. Moses Enos Stone and Salina Thompson were
married by J. McRoberson, M. G., on the 11th day of April, 1839, Lauderdale
County, Ripley, Tennessee.

Their children were:

1. Fanny Stone married first Mr. Edwards who died in the Civil War. She
married secondly a Mr. Baker.

2. Rebecca Stone married Mr. Malcolm. She married secondly Mr. Lentz.

3. John Stone married Ellen Clark.

4. Ellen Stone married first William Malcolm. Secondly she married
Vol Holland.

5. Frank Stone married Agnes Love.

6. Hodge Stone.

7. Mary Tabitha Stone married Hugh Ashburn Heath. She was born
May 24, 1854, died July 27, 1900. Mr. Heath was born May 2, 1849,
died June 14, 1913.

8. William Stone married Lou Boyd.

9. McLean Stone married Nellie Collie.

10. Salina (Betty) Stone married Willis Smith.

Mary Tabitha Stone, daughter of Moses Enos Stone, and wife, Salina
Thompson, was born in Marshall County, Kentucky, May 24, 1854, and died in
the same county, July 27, 1900. Her husband, Hugh Ashburn Heath, was born
May 2, 1849, and died June 14, 1913; born and died in Marshall County, Ken¬
tucky. They married January 4, 1872.

Their children were:

1. Enos Elmore Heath, born June 7, 1873, Marshall County, Kentucky,
married Cade Houston, born January 21, 1875, McLean County, Ken¬
tucky. (Bible of Elmore Heath, in possession of Mrs. E. E. Heath,
Paducah, Ky., R. 4.).

Their children:

1 a. Wells Heath, born Sept. 5, 1895, married Mable Brooks, Jan.

15, 1915, Metropolis, Ill.

Had issue :

a. Wells Heath, Jr., born Jan. 25, 1917, served World
War II, Army Air Corps in Italy.

b. Kathleen Heath, born Oct. 11, 1919, married Lee
Molloy.

b. Mayme Heath, born Dec. 31, 1899, married George R. Jackson,
Dec. 28, 1919, Paducah, Ky. Have issue:

a. Everett Elmore Jackson, born Sept. 10, 1922, died
Aug. 15, 1923.

Davis Family

b. George Welton Jackson, born Sept. 20, 1924, U. S.
Medical Corps. Served in Munich, Germany, World
War II.

c. Lyda Lois Heath, born Nov. 11, 1902, married Dr. Errett
Pace, Sept. 30, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois.

d. Allie May Heath, born May 12, 1907, McCracken County, Ky.,
married Glynn Lawrence Coryell, horn June 16, 1907, Mc¬
Cracken County, Ky., married April 16, 1927, St. Louis, Mo.
Issue:

a. Glynn Heath Coryell, born May 8, 1929, Fayette
County, Ky.

b. Lawrence Ritchie Brooke Coryell, born 3-14-1936,
Richmond, Va.

c. Patricia Vade Coryell, born 9-7-1937.

e. Hugh Heath, born Jan. 1, 1910. Served in the Coast Guard of
our nation; received an Honorable Discharge.

Ellen Stone, daughter of Moses Enos Stone and Salina Ann Thompson, mar¬
ried first William W. Malcolm. She married secondly, Vol Holland. By her
first husband the following issue:

1. Susie Malcolm, married first Turner Smith. Secondly she married
George Carroll. By her first husband she had:

a. Malcolm Smith.

b. Lealand Smith.

c. Herbert Smith.

d. Love Smith.

2. Salina Malcolm, married first W. W. Holland. She married secondly,
Ed Riley. By her first husband she had:

a. Carra Holland.

b. Lelia Holland, married Charlie Mocquot by whom she had:

a. Charles Mocquot.

b. Mary Mocquot.

3. Eillie Malcolm.

4. Fannie Malcolm, married John Holland by whom she had:

a. Bernice Holland.

b. Eunice Holland, married Arthur Cox and had:

a. Evalee Cox.

b. John Holland Cox.

c. Jackie Joe Cox.

c. John Thomas Holland.

5. Ruth Malcolm, married Lawrence Robb and had issue:

a. Lillie Lilac Murrell Robb.

b. Willie Robb.

Davis Family

6. Winnie Malcolm, married William F. Flolland and had:

a. Otho Holland.

7. Lillian Mable Malcolm.

8. Milby Malcolm, married Reed Heath by whom she had:

a. Malcolm Heath, married Elizabeth Holland, and had one child
Robert Byron Heath.

b. LaVerne Heath, married Dan Clayton and had two children,
Boyce Clayton and Joan Clayton.

c. Reed Ballard Heath.

d. Bernice Evelyn Heath.

John Payton Stone, son of Moses Enos Stone and wife, Salina Ann Thomp¬
son, married Ellen Clark and had:

1. Hardin Stone, married and had:

a. Gilbert Stone.

b. Raymond Stone.

c. Hattie Lee Stone.

2. John Jackson Stone, married and had:

a. Helen Stone.

b. Thomas Stone.

c. Agatha Estelle Stone, married Mr. Thompson.

d. Nancy Farris Stone, married Mr. Johnston.

3. Malinda Stone, married Mr. McGowan by whom she had:

a. Hester Wilson McGowan.

b. Fray Holland McGowan.

c. Melodean McGowan.

Addison Wells Thompson, son of John Thompson and wife, Rebecca Davis,
married Mary Jane Mullins at “Rose Hill,” Lunenburg County, Virginia, by
Rev. J. L. Sothern, on October 16, 1855. Mary Jane Mullins was born March
17, 1839. Addison Wells Thompson, married secondly, August 13, 1879, E. G.
Marshall. They also married at Rose Hill, Lunenburg County, Virginia, the
family home of the Thompsons. The postoffice of this family in Virginia was
Jorgason, Virginia. E. G. Marshall, second wife of A. W. Thompson, died
July 11, 1905. By his first wife, Mary Jane Mullins, Addison Wells Thompson
had the following children:

1. Francis Ann Thompson, born July 30, 1856, died October 15, 1856.

2. John Peter Thompson, born July 1, 1859.

3. Robert James Thompson, born March 16, 1865, died August 18, 1876.

By his second wife, E. G. Marshall, Addison Wells Thompson had:

4. Marshall Young Thompson, born September 17, ? , died May 8, 1884.

5. Petrionella Thompson, born November 18, 1887, married R. G. Bowen,
in Washington, D. C., and had issue:

Davis Family

a. Nellie Glenn Bowen, born August 6, 1910, at Blackstone, Va.

b. Margaret Lee Bowen, born August 26, 1919, at Petersburg, Va.

Tomela Adams Thompson, daughter of John Thompson and wife, Rebecca
Davis, married William A. Woods. Their issue:

1. John (called Jack) Woods.

2. Robert Wells Woods, married Sarah Williams and had:

a. Robert Edward Woods.

b. Lucy Woods.

c. Cornelia Woods.

d. Sarah Woods.

3. James, married Mollie Malcolm and had two children, Jack and Hettie.

This family located at Asher, Oklahoma.

4. William Woods.

5. Thomas Woods.

6. Tabitha Woods.

7. Madison Woods, located at Asher, Oklahoma.

8. Rebecca Woods.

Mrs. Glynn L. Coryell, of Lebanon, Illinois, writes of the Thompson-Davis
family: “I have visited the old home of Addison Wells Thompson ‘Rose HilL
in Virginia. It is said that it was the home of his father John Thompson,
whether that’s true, I cannot say. I met Mrs. Bowen, while living in Richmond,
and got the information on her descent from the Addison Wells Thompson
Bible which was in her possession. Have also visited Ripley, Tennessee, where
most of the John Thompson and Rebecca Davis children are buried with their
parents. My father, Enos Elmore Heath, has in his possession the John
Thompson bible, whose records I have enclosed a copy. I have also visited the
Sam Davis home several times, gathering all information possible from the
family cemetery; information from Media Davis Matthews (late sister of
Sam Davis) who verified our kinship, and others in connection with the home
which has been made a state shrine.” w‘It is my understanding that Rebecca
Davis and John Thompson came from Virginia and settled around Ripley,
Tennessee, and Brownsville. Aunt Becky (as Rebecca Davis was called by
Media Davis Matthews) would have to go to Brownsville to catch the train.
While visiting the Sam Davis home a few years ago, we stopped on our way
home in Ripley and talked with Miss Cornelia Wood. She went with us out
to the old Thompson cemetery, in the country. She, herself, was planning to
clean the grounds up and make it again a cherished place to visit. At that time,
as most cemeteries, was not well kept. The dates on the tombs corresponded
with the ‘Old Thompson Bible’ dates.

“Salina Ann married Moses Enos Stone. His parents were from the
Carolinas. His grandparents were John and Esther Stone, gotten from a death
certificate of John Stone. Moses Enos’ father John Stone, was a half-brother
to Kit Carson. Moses Enos brought his bride, Salina Ann Thompson, to

Davis Family

western Kentucky in Marshall County, about 20 miles south of Paducah. He
received a land grant from the government and established a plantation which
is still a pride to their descendants. The old Stone homestead is what I plan
some day to go back to. The family cemetery is quite dear to me for more than
one reason.” “The story has been handed down that the Stones always held
their heads high. Even to this day, some of their descendants are accused
of seeing the Stone in them. After finding out the relationship of John Stone
and Kit Carson, I feel as though that aristocratic air has been handed down
through the Thompson-Davis line, instead. My grandmother, Mary Tabitha
Stone Heath, has left many valuable stories about her people which we all
cherish dearly. Her baby daughter (my father’s sister) was named after
Rebecca Davis. Up until she died, she kept a quilt that was made by Rebecca’s
hands. My father and mother went to housekeeping on the old Stone homestead
and a few years later, lived in the original log mansion that was first built.
That ground overlooking the Kentucky lake that the TV A formed (same as
the Heath homestead several miles away). My oldest brother, Wells, and two
sisters were born there. My younger brother and I were born in McCracken
county, near Paducah, where my parents still reside.”

Charles Lewis Davis (Lewis, John, David) was born according to the
U. S. census reports of 1850 and 1860, in Virginia, 1799/1800. His father,
Lewis Davis, died when Charles Lewis was not more than one or two years of
age, leaving his mother Bridgett Gee Davis, a young widow with three infant
children to care for.

In those early days it was a real struggle for a widow with infants so young.
Mrs. Bridgett Davis took the natural and usual course to contract an early
second marriage. She married secondly, Gregory B. Hudson, in Brunswick
County, Virginia, July 4, 1802, (Bruns M.B. ) . By her second husband, she
had at least one child, a daughter, Jane B. Hudson.

Charles Lewis Davis, married first, the daughter of John Saunders of
Mecklenburg County. The marriage records in Boydton, Mecklenburg County,
show that on December 21, 1824, he married Margaret (probably her name
was Margaret Elizabeth) Saunders, surety being Robert Jones. There is a
note attached, giving “consent from John Saunders, the father of Margaret.”

Soon after his marriage to Margaret Saunders; with his young wife, left
Mecklenburg County, Virginia. It is not known whether he immediately
located in Rutherford County, Tennessee, or whether he stopped elsewhere
for a time. The family tradition tells us that he came to Rutherford County,
in 1825, this being as it may, he must have moved directly from Mecklenburg
County, Virginia, to Rutherford County, Tennessee. Neither the Virginia
records or the Tennessee records, throw any light on his activities from
December 24, 1824 until early in 1829, at which time he is found in Rutherford
County.

Charles Lewis Davis, large in statue with a masterful appearance, was a
fearless young American ready to match his strength and wits with the best
and much older in experience. Some might call him vested with a slight

Davis Family 93

inclination of gambling; we will say he was a reckless young American sowing
a few wild oats, or maybe he was a politician for business.

Arriving in Rutherford County, Tennessee, sometime between 1825 and
1829, Charles Lewis Davis located in Stewartsboro, a thriving community
settlement near the Nashville Pike on Stewart’s Creek. When the railroad
was completed, running only a few miles from Stewartsboro, at a place called
Smyrna, the second wealthiest community in the county, the business transferred
from Stewartsboro to Smyrna.

The first record found regarding Charles Lewis Davis in Rutherford County,
is in minute book 1829-30 page 17 ; the State of Tennessee vs. Charles L. Davis,
also page 40; State of Tennessee vs. Charles L. Davis, both records dated 1829.

Not long afterwards, the minutes reveal that he served on the jury in
Rutherford County, (Min. 1829-30 p. 40, No. 34 and 36).

“On November 18 of 1829, Lusher Douglass, a free boy of color, was this
day bound as apprentice to Charles L. Davis until he attain the age of 21 years
and the said Charles L. Davis gave bond and security as directed by law.”
(Rutherford County, Min. 1829-30, p. 148).

The next time Charles L. Davis is found is in the United States census which
is taken each ten years, filed in Washington, D. C. 1830, at which time, his
family enumeration appears “Charles L. Davis, with 1 male aged 30 to 40 years
of age (himself), 3 males aged 5 to 10 years; 2 males under 5 years; 2 females
between 30 and 40 years; 1 female between 10 and 15 years; and one female
between 5 and 10 years.”

There appears a bill of sale in 1833 where Charles L. Davis made a
purchase from Jeremiah Wade, (D. B. “W” p. 677) no land recited. Also,
another bill of sale from Mary Griffin, (D. B. “X” p. 260 Rutherford County).

Davis does not appear to have owned or purchased land in Rutherford
County, Tennessee, until about 1845. Several of the early deed books are
missing from the court house, which are said to have been destroyed during
the battle of Murfreesboro, during the war of 1863-1865, when Federal troops
used the courthouse as headquarters. Were these books preserved, more of
our subject might be found between 1825 and 1845. The first land transaction
found in Rutherford County, bears date 24 December 1845. “Benj amine
Marable and others, Exparte. Final decree — Amzi Jones, Braxton Marable,
Luckett Davis Jr., and wife Eliza L., formerly Eliza L. Marable, James
Marable, Jesse Mullins and wife Mary, Isaac Marable, and John Marable, by
Tennessee Matthews their guardian, William D. Nelson and wife Martha L.,
Benj amine Marable, John H. Marable, Henry H. Marable, and George,
Isaac, Elizabeth, Fredonia, Mary and Louisa Jones by Amzi Jones, exparte —
Petition to sell land, etc. The cause came on July 11, 1845 to sell land of
Henry H. Marable, deceased. Charles L. Davis was the purchaser. The land
situated on waters of Stewart’s Creek, beginning at the mouth of Rocky
Branch, where it empties into the creek 80° 43 poles, south 73° west 58 poles,
south 58° west 75 p2 poles boundary of the original tract, north 88^° west
140 poles, Baty’s corner; North 2lh° West 187 2/3 poles. East 47 Vz poles.

Davis Family

North 32° East 82 Vz poles, South 89 V2 0 East 134 4/5 poles to a stake on east
bank of the creek.” (D. B. 2. p. 346, No. 469).

After this purchase of land, Charles L. Davis began to acquire vast holdings
of land throughout that section. It is said that at one time he owned 1800
acres of the best land in the community. He seems to have made large
purchases in the year 1848 as well as making several sales.

On August 24, 1842, Samuel Copeland deeded 68% acres of land to William
R. James, land Samuel Copeland bought of Luckett Davis, Jr., (Rutherford
Co. Tenn. D.B.“Z” p. 545-546. No. 188).

It is to be noted here that we have not found any near or remote relationship
with the family of Charles Lewis Davis and the family of Luckett Davis,
although they both lived in the same neighborhood in Rutherford County,
Tennessee.

Samuel M. Copeland conveyed 264 acres of land to Charles L. Davis for
$3100.00 situated in district No. 4, beginning at John D. Cooks east boundary,
same being J. R. Peebles, northwest corner running South 89° centre Stewart’s
Creek, down said creek to a line of bend Samuel Hogg’s line to stake in old
Nashville Road to centre Olive Branch Spring, subject to deed heretofore
made to Wm. R. James and recorded in D.B.“Z” p. 545-546, and beginning
at corner of tract of John Buchanan, Dec. 25, 1845. It is understood that
Samuel M. Copeland did not convey in this deed the timber on 12 V2 acres
on the east side of the above. The cedar land having previously been sold
to Wm. R. James — witnesses Wm. R. James, Thomas D. Walpole. Jan. 1, 1846.
(Ruth. Co. D.B. 2 p. 354-483).

On Feb. 7, 1848, “Charles L. Davis of Rutherford County, Tennessee sold
to John P. Beesley of Rutherford County for $4977.00, a tract of land on
Stewart’s Creek, beginning at a stake in the centre of a lane where Mrs. Hogg’s
line crosses the same and running from the centre of the lane North 18°
west 16 poles; thence North 11° east 671/2 poles, thence northeast 17 poles,
thence north 103 poles to a stake in the centre of the lane, thence west 133
poles to a walnut thence south 31 V20 west 31% poles to a stake, etc. — thence
west 48 1/5 poles to a cedar, thence south 2° east 166 poles to a stake Beaty's
corner (crooked line) thence south 89° east 14 poles to stake, thence north
59° east 76^4 poles to the beginning containing 276 V2 acres. (The family
graveyard contained in said boundary is hereby reserved).

Signed, Charles L. Davis, proved in court by Robert S. Morris, clerk of
court 7 Feb. 1848 and registered Feb. 9, 1848. IRuth. Co. D.B. 3 p. 384).

Charles L. Davis conveyed to Eli Smith, 90 acres of land for $1634.30 on
Stewart’s Creek, beginning east of the lane where Mrs. Hogg’s line crosses
same running with centre of the lane north 18° west 16 poles thence north 11°
east 67 Vz poles thence north 32° east 17 poles, thence north 33 4/5 poles
to a stake in the centre of the lane, opposite a walnut, thence south 891/2° east,
118^4 poles to a stake on east bank of Stewart’s Creek, thence south V20
west 119 1/6 poles to a stake in said Stewart’s creek, thence north 69° west
44 V2 poles on bank of the branch, thence south 80° west 40 poles, thence south
73° west 58 poles to the beginning containing 71 acres, and 38^4 poles of land,

Davis Family

but Charles L. Davis does not hereby sell and convey one acre of land within
the foregoing bounds known and designated as belonging to the Baptist Church.
29 Feb. 1848 — witnesses W. G. Reeves proved 1848. (Ruth. Co. D.B. 3
p. 422 No. 551).

On the same day, Charles L. Davis, deeded to William B. Beesley for
$2622.00, land in District No. 4, beginning at a stake in John D. Cooks east
boundary line the same being James R. Peebles northwest corner running
south 89j4° east 161 4/5 poles to a stake, thence due north 44 1/5 poles to
a cedar stake, thence one east twenty five poles to a large red Oak, thence north
89/4° east 51 poles to the centre of Stewart’s Creek, thence down said creek,
the centre of it being the line to the bend, Samuel Hogg’s line, thence north
37° west 13 V2 poles to a white oak, thence north 19° east 88 2/5 poles to a
stake in the old Nashville road, thence north 50° west 5 4/5 poles to a stake,
thence north 2lA 0 west 39 4/5 poles, to a stake, thence due west 10 poles to
a stake, thence north 45° west 2lA poles to centre of the Olive Branch Spring,
thence south 72° west 21 1/5 poles to a stake, thence due west 514 1/5 poles
to a stake, thence south 3° east 28 poles to a stake, then north 89 lA 0 west
416 poles to a stake, thence south 1° west 29 poles to a stake, thence west

6 poles to a sugar tree, thence south 2Vi° west 160 poles to the beginning,
containing by estimation 270 acres, but subject to a deed heretofore made to
Wm. R. James by Samuel M. Copeland and recorded in the register’s office
Book Z. p. 545 and 546 for 68% acres, also one other tract lying in said
county of Rutherford, state of Tennessee, beginning at John Buchanan’s NE
corner at a post oak and cedar running west with said Buchanan’s north
boundary line 239 poles to a red oak and Mulberry, thence north 35 poles to
a cedar, thence east 239 poles to a cedar, thence south 37 lA poles to the
beginning, containing 54 acres and 23 poles. To have and to hold. The
timber on said land previously sold to Wm. R. James and Samuel M. Copeland.

7 Feb. 1848, signed Charles L. Davis. Proved in court 7 Feb. 1848 (D.B. 3
p. 385 Rutherford Co.).

On April 1, 1848, “I, Moses Ridley, bind myself to pay to Charles L. Davis
the sum of twenty thousand, four hundred and eighty dollars. The condition
of this obligation is such that whereas the said Charles L. Davis has this day
purchased of me for the price of twenty dollars per acre on the following
payments to wit. One third of the purchase money in hand paid; one third of
said purchase money payable on the first day of March next, and the other
third of said purchase money payable on the first day of March 1850, for which
two last payments his notes under seal have this day been executed to me a
tract of land in Rutherford County, state of Tennessee, in Civil District No. 3
known as Hart’s Spring district and lying on the waters of Stewart s Creek,
bounded as follows; Beginning at two sycamores on the bank of Stewart’s
Creek running west 158 lA poles to a stake a large popular pointe, thence south
5° west 19 2/5 poles to a sugar tree, thence south 61 V2 0 west I6V2 poles to an
elm on the bank of Hart’s branch, thence up said branch with the centre south
57 V20 west 43 poles to a stake in the centre of said branch, thence south 36)4°
west 2 poles to a stake in the centre of said branch, thence south 36*4° west 2
poles to a stake in the centre of said branch, it being Silas Tucker’s corner

Davis Family

sugar tree pointer, thence south 1° east with Tucker’s line two hundred and
23 poles to a sugar tree, Mrs. Nelson’s corner, thence north 89 Vz 0 east 268
poles to a stake, thence north 15 poles and 20 links to a rock, thence east
14 1/5 poles to a rock, thence south 15 poles and 20 links to a large rock on the
bank of Stewart’s Creek, thence east 3 poles to the centre of the said creek.
Thence down the centre of said creek with its various meanders to the beginning
containing 513% acres, now, if I should make or cause to be made to the said
Charles L. Davis, his heirs, or assigns a good and sufficient title in free simple
with general warranty to said tract of land on the making of the last payment,
then this obligation to be void between us, there is reserved a road from the
bridge down the creek northwardly to John Newman’s line, also one eighth of
an acre including the graveyard where my wife and Henry Ridley are buried.
Given under my hand and seal this first day of April 1848. Signed Moses
Ridley, witnessed by M. G. Reeves, A. T. Reeves, State of Tenn. Rutherford
County, proved in court before Job Wood, clerk 15 April 1848. Registered
April 25, 1848.” (Rutherford Co. D.B. 3 p. 467 No. 611).

April 1, 1848 “T, Moses Ridley, myself to pay to Charles L. Davis and Jane
Gresham the sum of six thousand one hundred dollars — The condition of this
obligation is such that the said Charles L. Davis and Jane Gresham have this
day purchased of me at the price of ten dollars per acre on the following
payments, etc., two tracts of land in Rutherford Comity, Civil District No. 3,
known as Hart’s Spring District, lying on Hart’s Spring branch the waters
of Stewart’s Creek bounded 5 poles and 20 links south of G. V. Ridley’s NW
corner, running west 274 poles to a stake Fossett’s corner, thence south 87
poles to a cedar Fossett’s SE corner, thence east 52 poles 8 links to a hickory
Mullin’s NE corner, thence south 27 poles, 11 links to an ash, thence east 2Vz
poles to the beginning, containing 189% acres. The other tract of land,
beginning at a cedar John Hart’s corner in the branch, thence west 33 Vz poles
to a cedar Thomas Morgan Hart’s corner, thence south 71 Vz poles to an elm
Hart’s corner, thence west 44 poles to an elm Hart’s corner, thence south IOV2
poles east 76 poles to a chinquepin oak Hart’s corner. Thence west 71 poles
to an elm Hart’s corner in the rice patch, thence north 172% poles to a cedar,
thence east 38 Vz poles to a cedar, thence north 20 poles to a cedar Oliphant’s
line, thence east 74 poles to a cedar, south 14 poles to a stake, thence east
21 poles to a red oak, thence south 29 poles to the beginning, containing
105% acres of land. Signed Moses Ridley, witnessed by M. G. Reeves and
A. T. Reeves.” (Rutherford Co. D.B. 3. p. 469).

July 11, 1848. Moses Ridley executed a deed to Charles L. Davis for
294 acres of land for $2,950.00 in Civil District No. 3, of Rutherford County,
known as Hart’s Spring District lying on Hart’s Spring branch on waters
of Stewart’s Creek, adjoining on the south, G. V. Ridley’s corner and Fossett’s
corner and Mullin’s corner, being in two tracts, one of 189% acres, 22 poles
and the other beginning at John Hart’s corner in the branch adjoining
Thomas Morgan Hart’s corner containing 105% a ''res. Signed, Moses Ridley
and witnessed by I. R. Newsom and John E. Smith. (Rutherford Co., Tenn.,
D.B. 3 p. 584 No. 774) .

Davis Family

On the same day, Jane Gresham was deeded 148 acres of this tract of land
(Rutherford Co. D.B. 3 p. 385 No. 775).

E. R. Reid mortaged to Charles L. Davis Lot No. 1 adjoining W. Keeble
and Mrs. Allen 60 acres and Lot No. 2, known as Clover lot adjoining Mrs.
Allen in town of Smyrna, June 4, 1868. (Rutherford Co. D.B. 16 p. 41 No. 58).

In 1870, Charles L. Davis deeded to Oscar M. Davis in which deed he calls
Oscar M. Davis “son” a lot and house on Washington street in Smyrna. (Ruth.
Co. D.B. 17 p. 39).

From the tax books in Rutherford County, Tennessee, the following goes
to give additional proof of the Davis property, 1849. District No. 3 known as
Hart’s Spring District, returned by William D. Nelson. “C. L. Davis 728
acres value $9928. 12 slaves value $6350,” which indicate after examining

the other tax reports for all districts of the county, in 1849, to be the only
taxable real estate owned by him at the time.

The U. S. census report for 1850, Washington, D.C., shows in Gambill’s
District, of Rutherford County, Tennessee, the enumeration of the family of
Charles L. Davis, page 188. Enumeration No. 545//545.

“Charles L. Davis aged 50, male, farmer, property value $12400, born in
Virginia.

Jane Davis, aged 27, female, born in Tennessee.

Alfred Davis, aged 19 years, male, born in Tennessee.

William Davis, aged 17, male, born in Tennessee.

John Davis, aged 11, male, born in Tennessee.

Samuel Davis, aged 8, male, born in Tennessee.

Margaret Davis, aged 6, female, born in Tennessee.

Oscar Davis, aged 4, male, born in Tennessee.

Andromedia Davis, aged 2, female, born in Tennessee.

Elizabeth Simmons, aged 43, female, born in Virginia.”

The census enumeration of 1860 for the same place, District No. 3,
Rutherford County, Tennessee, page 15, enumeration No. 275//265 shows:

“C. L. Davis, aged 59 years, male, farmer, property value $50,000 / /
$60,000, born Virginia.

Jane Davis, aged 37 years, female, born in Virginia.

Sam Davis, aged 18 years, male, born in Tennessee.

M. Davis, aged 15 years, female, born in Tennessee.

Oscar Davis, aged 13 years, male, born in Tennessee.

Meda Davis, aged 10 years, female, born in Tennessee.

L. Davis, aged 6 years, female, born in Tennessee.

Fannie Davis, aged 3 years, female, born in Tennessee.

C. Davis, aged 1 year, male, born in Tennessee.

E. Simmons, aged 54 years, female, born in Tennessee.”

It has been proven elsewhere that there are a few mistakes in the census
reports on the place of birth of Jane, in the 1850 report and of E. Simmons, in

Davis Family * 99

the 1860 report, however, these are mistakes which are often found in the
census reports.

In 1860 reports, Alfred, William and John Davis, sons by the first wife
Margaret Saunders, and Mary, the daughter by the first wife, are not shown.
The sons were not of age in 1850, therefore, are shown in that report. In
the 1860 report, all were of age and not enumerated in the Charles L. Davis
family.

Margaret Saunders Davis, the first wife of Charles Lewis Davis, died in
Rutherford County, Tennessee, the latter part of 1840, or early 1841, for on
May 19, 1841, Charles Lewis Davis, married Jane Simmons, (Rutherford Co.
M. B. No. 1 503. Jane Simmons was a daughter of Elizabeth, widow of
Edmund Simmons. Elizabeth Simmons had migrated to Rutherford County,
after the death of her husband in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. Edmund
Simmons, father of Jane Simmons Davis, had died in 1824, which is evidenced
by a record referred to as “List of Fiduciary” showing qualification “Wherein
Daniel Missaugh qualified May 20, 1824, with Jones Gee and Emanuel H.
Hudgins, surety. The bond was for $10,000.00.” (Mecklenburg Co., Va.
records, 1824) .

The Davis family were mostly members of the Presbyterian Church,
however, I have found some of the connection were united with the Baptist.

From the Session Book of the Smyrna Presbyterian Church, 1820-1867.
March 2, 1820, is the date shown as the organizing date of this church, by
Rev. Samuel Hodges, and consisted chiefly of members which formerly
composed the Presbyterian Church at Jefferson.

It does not appear that the Davis family united with the Smyrna Church
until about 1865. Charles Lewis Davis, was not devoted to religion; his
wife Jane, was the one who exercised the spiritual guidance over their children,
herself being a devoted adherent to the Bible and its teachings. In fact, the
Smyrna Church register does not show that Charles Lewis or Jane, his wife,
either ever attended that church. It is quite possible that they attended the
Jefferson Church, however, the Smyrna church records show the following:

“Page 6, C. L. Davis, married Mary Hollis. She joined the church, August
7, 1871. Dismissed June 3, 1900.”

Page 5. “Miss Emma C. Davis.”

Page 4 and page 24. “Miss Ella Davis.”

Page 26. “Elizabeth Cannon Davis.”

Page 19. “Hicks Davis.” Page 4. “Hickman Davis.”

Page 24. “Miss Maggie Davis.”

Page 5. “Mrs. R. 0. Davis.”

Pages 22-23-27. “Robert O. Davis.”

Page 4. “William L. Davis, joined September 6, 1874, died February,
1894.”

Charles Lewis Davis, the father of our hero, Sam, was known far and wide
as a man who feared nothing. He was among the wealthiest men of his time

100

Davis Family

in the county. He was remarkable in personal appearance for his greatness
of statue, being six feet, two inches in height, broad shoulders and straight
as an arrow, and better known to his neighbors and close associates as, “Old
Straight.”

Jane Simmons Davis, Sam’s mother, was a direct contrast in size. She
was small featured, gentle in nature, with soft, sorrow-haunted black eyes,
that seemed ever moistened with unshed tears, as if nature had forecast in
her features, the tragic fate of the son she idolized. Sam Davis, our hero,
was her oldest child. (“Old Tales Retold” by 0. Z. Bond page 248; also
“Confederate Veteran” by S. A. Cunningham.)

It is clearly proven from the records, that Rebeckah Davis and her husband,
John Thompson, and the half sister, Jane Brooks Hudson and her husband,
William Iverson Gresham (grandson of Asa Gresham of Mecklenburg and
Lunenburg Counties, Virginia) did come to Rutherford County, Tennessee,
sometime between 1825 and 1845 (see deeds) as has been shown by the
association in purchases of land with Charles Lewis Davis.

John Thompson and family did not remain in Rutherford County very
long, enticed by the fertile lands on the banks of the Mississippi, in West
Tennessee, they moved to Lauderdale County, Tennessee, locating near Ripley.

There is no record of William Iverson Gresham in Rutherford Comity,
however it is probable that he died before his wife in that county. There is in
Rutherford County, an inventory of Jane H. Gresham, dated March 5, 1877.
There is nothing shown to throw light on the issue if any of William I. Gresham
and Jane Brooks (Hudson) Gresham.

Charles Lewis Davis, made his will which was recorded in Rutherford
County, Tennessee, which reads as follows:

“I Charles L. Davis of the County of Rutherford and State of Tennessee
being of sound mind do hereby make and appoint this to be my last will hereby
revoking all others by me made previous to this.

“1st. first ... I will and direct that as soon as it is convenient after my death
my Executor shall pay for my funeral Expenses and also shall pay all just
and lawfully established claims that may be brought against my estate. 2nd . .
Second . . I will and direct that my beloved daughter Mary A. S. Patterson in
addition to what I have heretofore given her shall have five dollars. I will my
beloved son Alfred J. Davis in addition to what I have heretofore given him
five dollars.

“I will to my beloved son William L. Davis in addition to what I have
heretofore given him five dollars.

“I will to my beloved daughter Maggie T. Hill in addition to what I have
heretofore given her five dollars.

At will unto my beloved son Osco M. Davis one thousand dollars in addi¬
tion to what I have heretofore given him. I will unto my beloved Daughter
Media G. Mathis one thousand dollars in addition to what I have heretofore
given her. I will and bequeath unto my beloved wife Jane Davis and my four
youngest children Elizabeth C. Davis, Fanny N. Davis, Charles L. Davis and

Davis Family

101

Hickman W. Davis to be equally divided between them all of my real estate of
which I am now possessed and all my personal property not heretofore be¬
queathed in this my last will. It is my will and desire that my beloved wife
Jane Davis keep my four youngest children last mentioned above (viz)
Elizabeth C., Fanny N., Charles L. and Hickman W. Davis, all together as long
as it may seem practicable so to do and carry on the farm in common with
them for her own benefit and that of the last named children and that when a
division is had let it be Share and Share alike. I hereby appoint my Son-in-law
Samuel G. Mathis my Executor to this my last will witness my hand and Seal

this the 3rd day of March 1868 . CHARLES L. DAVIS .

Subscribed to in our presence this the 3rd day of March 1868. A. G. Hender¬
son, J. S. Payner, Recorded April 26th 1877. Will Book No. 26 Page 278.”

Charles Lewis Davis and Margaret Saunders, his first wife, had issue:

1. Alfred J. Davis, born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, 1831.

2. William Lewis Davis, born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, April 17,
1833, married Sallie E. Searcy.

3. John Davis, born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, 1839, married Mary
Kate Patterson. She married secondly a Mr. Kyle. Mrs. Kyle was
living in Nashville, Tennessee, when Austin Peay was Governor of
Tennessee. Her age at that time was 79 years.

4. Mary A. S. Davis, born (probably the oldest child), married (1st) Mr.
Patterson, (2nd) Wiley Brown.

By his second wife, Jane Simmons, Charles Lewis Davis had:

5. Samuel Davis, born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, near Smyrna,
October 6, 1842, and died by hanging as “Spy” at Pulaski, Giles County,
Tennessee, November 27, 1863, unmarried. He is known as the “Hero
of Tennessee” in the war of 1863-1865.

6. Margaret T. Davis, born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, November
24, 1844, died November 18, 1910, married Theo Hill. (W. S. Tech

Hill).

7. Oscar Muse Davis, born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, October 22,
1847, died January 18, 1927, at the Davis home near Smyrna, aged 82
years. He married Ida King.

8. Andromedia (Media) G. Davis, born in Rutherford County, Tennessee,
March 14, 1849, married Samuel G. Mathews and had:

a. Lewis Thomas Mathews, born September 14, 1868, died
December 31, 1939.

b. Sam Davis Mathews, born December 13, 1869, living in
Houston, Texas, never married. Went to Texas in 1890. Mr.
Mathews has had an active life, worked first as a rancher,
later engaged in mining and prospecting from the Alaskan
Territory to South America, and many years in Old Mexico".

c. Fannie Bob Mathews, born August 13, 1886, married January
1, 1907, Joe Stuart Boyles, born June 10, 1886, and had:

102

Davis Family

a. Frances Stuart Boyles, born November 6, 1910, mar¬
ried May 17, 1934, James Lawrence Davis. They
have two children: James L., Jr., born September
17, 1940; and Frances Stuart, born August 7, 1942.

9. Everett Davis, born in Rutherford County Tennessee, died young.

10. Elizabeth C. Davis, born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, January 9,
1854, died June 22, 1889, married Lee Tucker.

11. Fannie N. White Davis, born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, 1856-57,
married Mr. Robert Winstead, no issue.

12. Charles Lewis Davis, Jr., born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, June
19, 1859, died September 19, 1929, married Mary Hollis. Their
daughter Andromedia (Media) Davis, born December 22, 1886, mar¬
ried January 25, 1908, Eugene Adam Sinnott and had a son, Eugene
Adam Sinnott, born March 3, 1887, died November 23, 1918. Mrs.
Media Sinnott, a widow, is custodian of the Sam Davis Shrine. Charles
Lewis Davis and wife, Mary Hollis, had a son Charles Lewis Davis, Jr.,
born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, married Erma Davis and have
five children born to them, all living in Houston, Texas. Their chil¬
dren as follows:

a. Charles Emory Davis.

b. Charles Lewis Davis, III.

c. Mary Katherine Davis, deceased.

d. Wallace Davis.

e. Robert Davis.

13. Hickman Weakley Davis, born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, Sep¬
tember 19, 1861, married October 26, 1886, Elizabeth (called Lizzie)
Everett Cannon, born in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Mrs. Elizabeth
Davis was seventeen years old when her daughter was born. Mr. Davis
died June 1, 1926. Their daughter, Emma Cannon Davis, born in
Rutherford County, July 30, 1887, married Roy Rascoe, born March 30,
1882, son of Lou Rascoe and wife, Juliett Ann Jones. Mrs. Elizabeth
C. Davis died October 22, 1923. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Rascoe have an
only child, Emma C. Rascoe, born November 5, 1910, married Robert
Porter Rhea, a native of Pulaski, Giles County, Tennessee. Mr. and
Mrs. Rhea have one child, Juliet Ann Rhea, born November 11, 1939.

William L. Davis, son of Charles Lewis Davis, by his wife, Margaret Eliza¬
beth Saunders, and a half sister of Sam Davis, the “Tennessee Hero,” married
April, 1856, in Rutherford County, Tennessee, Sally E. Searcy, born February
2, 1837, in the same county, daughter of Anderson Searcy and his wife, Betty
S. White. William L. Davis took over his father’s mill in 1860; one of the oldest
mills in the county. He and his wife had issue:

1. Robert 0. Davis, born 1857 in Rutherford County, Tennessee, married
September 19, 1895, Laura Johnson and had issue:

a. Sarah C. Davis, born January 27, 1897, married Charles
Hodge, no issue.

Davis Family

103

'dia <2 ) a dddinnott

Custodian , Sam Davis Home

b. Robert 0. Davis, Jr., born April 30, 1903.

2. Mollie (Molly) L. Davis, born April 9, 1859, in Rutherford County,
married November 27, 1883, R. T. Bell. They had issue:

a. R. T. Bell, Jr., born November 17, 1884, married first in 1911,
Kate Currin Rather, leaving two daughters. He married
secondly Mary Rather, sister of his first wife, by her no issue.
Issue by first wife:

a. Kate Currin Bell, born October 4, 1912.

b. Mary Catherine Bell, born 1922.

b. Sadie E. Bell, born March 17, 1887, died October 7, 1892.

c. Georgia Bell, born September 17, 1889, married October, 1912,
Wm. F. Earthman, and have issue:

a. Georgia Bell Earthman.

b. Wm. F. Earthman, Jr.

d. Charles E. Bell, born December 17, 1891, died October, 1918,
while in U. S. service, World War I.

e. Sam Davis Bell, born June 6, 1900, married Frances Kirk¬
patrick and had one child, a son.

3. Ella Davis, born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, 1861, married Joe
Black.

104

Davis Family

4. John Davis, born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, 1863, married first,
Kim Morton and secondly he married Lizzie Elam. Had issue: Ella B.
Davis, born 1900.

5. Sam B. Davis, born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, December 25,
1866, married, 1898, Florence Wells, a full-blood Indian woman. Mr.
Davis was superintendent of a school on the Indian Reservation for the
U. S. Government for many years. He retired to his home in Ruther¬
ford County. He served in the Tennessee State Legislature, representing
his home county, during the administration of Governor Gordon Brown¬
ing. Had issue:

a. William L. Davis, died at age of 7 years.

b. Margarette Davis, born September, 1907.

c. Dorothy Wells Davis, born 1909.

d. Mary Louise Davis, born 1912, married John Randolph, Jr.

Oscar Muse Davis, son of Charles Lewis Davis, by Jane Simmons, and a
full brother of Sam Davis, the Tennessee Hero, died at the Davis home near
Smyrna, Rutherford County, January 18, 1927, at the age of eighty-two years.
His wife was Ida King, also born in Rutherford County. Their children:

1. Oscar Davis, born February 28, 1877, married Nimmie King, born
March 8, 1885, daughter of Marion DeKalb King and wife, Malinda
Amanda Emily Rucker of Rutherford County. (Rucker's and Connec¬
tions, by E. Whitley). Mr. and Mrs. Davis married December 26, 1906.
Their children:

a. Ida King Davis, born September 15, 1904.

b. Samuel Davis, born October 6, 1908.

c. Nelson Davis, born September 28, 1913.

d. Oscar Davis, Jr., born October 7, 1915.

e. Emmalou Davis, born April 26, 1918.

f. Charles Marion Davis, born September 23, 1921.

2. Palmer Cole Davis, born February 18, 1879, married, March 31, 1904,
Eula Corinne Burt. Had two children, Elizabeth and Palmer. Eliza¬
beth Ewing Davis married March 19, 1927, James Morton Sager. Palmer
Cole Davis, Jr., married January 1, 1939, Frances Schieb. Palmer was
born November 9, 1916.

3. Frank, married June 29, 1915, Ruth Lunady (Lunden) and had two
children, Lenora and Frank Neal. Lenora born April 19, 1916, mar¬
ried Edward W. Beverly and Frank Neal, born April 8, 1921.

Elizabeth Davis, daughter of Charles Lewis Davis and Jane, his wife; an
own and full sister of Sam Davis, the Tennessee hero, was born in Rutherford
County, Tennessee, January 9, 1854, married Lee Tucker. Mrs. Tucker died
June 22, 1889. Their issue:

1. Oscar Davis Tucker, born December 5, 1872.

2. Johnnie Manning Tucker, born September 12, 1874. Married Walter
Hibbett of Smyrna, Tennessee.

Davis Family

105

3. Leonidas Tucker, born September 21, 1876.

4. Silas Brackin Tucker, born November 7, 1878.

5. Collier Baty Tucker, born September 26, 1881. Died unmarried.

6. Carrie Elizabeth Tucker, born September 3, 1883. Married July 5,
1905, Thomas Meeks Neel (died Febuary 23, 1927) of Newberry, South
Carolina, and have children:

a. Frances Emaline Neel, born Aug. 19, 1906, married to
Brainard Cheney, June 23, 1927.

b. Thomas Collier Neel, born Aug. 30, 1908, married Joella
Seay, Oct. 13, 1934 and have:

a. Thomas Collier Neel Jr., born Oct. 8, 1938.

b. Caroline Tucker Neel, born Oct. 20, 1940.

c. Walter Hibbett Neel, born Sept. 7, 1912, married Lois Young,
Aug. 24, 1940, and had a son:

a. Walter Hibbett Jr., born July 13, 1941.

7. Robert Winstead Tucker, born March 29, 1886.

Maggie Threate Davis, daughter of Charles Lewis and Jane (Simmons) Davis.
Family record sent in by Mr. 0. T. Hill, of Tallahassee, Florida, is as follows:

All of the Hill children were born near Smyrna, Tennessee with the exception
of Martha, who was born at Gatesville, Texas, after the family moved from
Smyrna, Tennessee, to Gatesville in January 1885. Later, Mr. Hill purchased
a section of land ten miles from Waco. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hill died at Waco
and are buried there. She died in October, 1910 and he died April, 1910.
Their children:

1. Hugh B. Hill, bachelor.

2. Louis Lee Hill, married Kate Williamson and lives in Texas. Their
children:

a. Steven.

b. Nona.

c. William.

3. Sam Davis Hill, married Snook Smith. No Issue.

4. Oscar Tech Hill, married Ida Lee Godwin of Valdosta, Georgia, and
had:

a. S. Reade Hill, married Elver Steepe of Fort Worth, Texas
and had two children:

a. Caroly Ann of Port Arthur, Texas.

b. Betty Jane Hill of Port Arthur, Texas.

b. Margaret R. Hill, married Gordon H. Jarrett of Pittsburg,
Texas, and had two children:

a. Frances Jean Jarrett of Tallahassee, Florida.

b. Janice Ann Jarrett of Tallahassee, Florida.

106

Davis Family

c. Frances Hill Jarrett, married J. F. Vaughan, of Phoenix, Ari¬
zona and have three children:

a. Judith.

b. Virginia Lee.

c. Frances Emily.

5. Fanny May Hill, married Lonnie Bard; two children live in Waco,
Texas.

6. Jennie B. Hill, died in infancy. Was twin of Fanny May.

7. Altie Hill, married Frank Moran of Waco, Texas and had five children:

a. Hugh, of Californa.

b. Evelyn, deceased.

c. Maggie, of Waco, Texas.

d. Claudia, of Waco, Texas.

e. Syble, of Waco, Texas.

8. Martha Hill, married S. A. Douglas of Waco. No children.

Simmons Family

The Simmons family lived in Surry County, Virginia, from the latter part
of the 17th century and later in Isle of Wight County, Southampton and
adjoining counties in Virginia and North Carolina. (Va. Mag. Vol. 42-43).

There were Simmons in other parts of Virginia, with which no connection
has been found, therefore, reference to them is eliminated from this sketch;
neither have I endeavored to trace the North Carolina branches bevond a

reasonable degree, to determine the connection with the branch associated in
this history. Pasquotank and Perquimans counties, in North Carolina, are
rich with information pertaining to the Simmons of that section. I have
included a few wills from that section in order to more or less eliminate the
possibility of their connection with Edmund Simmons of Mecklenburg County,
Virginia.

Bertie County, North Carolina, 1781, John Simmons will, naming Sallie
and Malachi.

Bladen County, North Carolina, 1802, will of George Simmons, wife Nancy,
names Edward, Deborah (Debrool), brother.

Brunswick County, North Carolina, 1779, will of John Simmons, wife Sarah.

Bladen County, North Carolina, 1802, will of John Simmons, wife Elizabeth,
names Sally.

Caswell County, North Carolina, October 1794, will of Thomas Simmons,
wife Priscilla, names Alexander and Thomas.

Chowan County, North Carolina, will 1772, of John Simmons, mentions
Jacob, Charlton and Argyle.

Craven County, North Carolina, 1796, will of James Simmons, mentions
James, Stewart, Isaac, John and Thomas.

Currituck County, North Carolina, 1785, will of Robert Simmons, mentions

John.

Currituck County, North Carolina, 1785, will of John Simmons, mentions
Robert, John, Dennis and Amy.

In the same county, 1785, is the will of Sampson Simmons, wife Mary,
mentions Thomas, Sarah, John, Caleb and James.

Same county, 1797, will of Dorcus Simmons, mentioning Mary Taylor,
Mary O’Neal and Edney.

Franklin County, North Carolina, 1797, will of Henry Simmons, mentions
Ben j amine.

In the same county, 1795, the will of William Simmons, wife Elizabeth,
mentions Mary, Ann, Agnes, Henry and John.

New Hanover County, North Carolina, 1799, will of Hilary Simmons,
mentions Asa, James and Enoch.

And, in New Hanover, is also the will of Thomas Simmons, dated 1799,
naming Hilary, Asa, James and Enoch.

107

103

Simmons Family

In Halifax County, North Carolina, just south of the Mecklenburg County,
Virginia line, there are no early Simmons marriages, the earliest which I have
found was Jesse Simmons to Nancy Whitaker, dated 10 June 1821; then
follows, Alfred Simmons to Sally Ivey on 30 June 1831; Boyd Simmons to
Sally Worrell on 1 Dec. 1829; C. P. Simmons to Nancy Edwards Whitenter
on 4 Jan. 1867; and John Simmons to Susan Gary on 7 May 1822.

In the will of William Cocke, who died 1720, leaving wife Mary. Their
son, Nicholas Cocke, died 1748, leaving a daughter Frances, who married a
Mr. Simmons. (Brunswick Co. Virginia record).

The will of William Simmons, proved in Surry County, Virginia, April 1693,
and the will of Elizabeth Simmons dated Oct. 16, 1695, proved in Surry on
March 2, 1696-7. Their daughter, Mary Moreing, sons William and John
Simmons are mentioned, also a daughter Elizabeth and a daughter Sarah.
Mention is made of Elizabeth Edwards and friend George Foster, as executor.
On July 7, 1696, Christopher Moreing was granted administration cn the estate
of Elizabeth Simmons. (Va. Mag. 42).

In Surry County, there appears the will of Thomas Simmons, dated Feb.
27, 1725/6 proved April 18, 1733, in which there it names sons Thomas,
Joseph and Edward; wife Sarah; daughter Elizabeth Simmons; son Joseph,
executor.

There was a Thomas Simmons witness to deed of Nicholas Vaughan of
Prince George County, Virginia, from John Bannister of the same county for
232 acres of land in Bristol Parish, Prince George County, on line of Joseph
Hatcher’s run.

Thomas Simmons and Joseph Simmons buys land on Powell’s Creek at
Banks Landin March 1, 1724. (P. G. Co. Rec. D. B. 1715-1720 page 1010).

Minutes of Blackwater and Burleigh Monthly Meeting 1765-1776 (Quakers)
in possession of Baltimore Yearly Monthly Meeting of Orthodox Friends,
Baltimore, Maryland, page 78 following in Prince George Co. Virginia
exempted Joseph Simmons. A number of Hunnicutts there also.

Virginia Historical Magazine, Vol. 4, page 216, Prince George County,
records states: William Epes, Sheriff, William Epes, Jr., Miles Thweatt and
Joseph Simmons, under Sheriffs.

The will of William Simmons of Surry County, Virginia, dated Sept. 22,
1732 proved June 30, 1733, mentions daughter Hannah Chapman Simmons;
son Stephen; wife Elizabeth. Elizabeth Simmons account current with estate
of ‘"Mr. William Simmons, deceased,” Surry County July 17, 1734.

The will of Henry Browne dated Surry County, Virginia, July 17, 1734, con¬
tains legacies to Mr. William Simmons and Mr. John Simmons (Va. Hist. Mag.),

Virkus, Vol. 7, page 130. Thomas Edmunds (died ante 1736) of
“Farnham” Sussex County, Virginia, married Ann Simmons (died 1749)
daughter of William Simmons, the Burgess.

John Simmons of Surry County, Virginia left will dated Oct. 12, 1737,
proved April 19, 1738. Wife Rebecca. Sons William and John and daughter
Mary (Va. Mag.).

Simmons Family

109

John Simmons was Burgess for Surry County, Virginia at sessions Oct.
1710; Nov. 1711; Nov. 1714; Aug. 1715; Nov. 1720; May 1722.

William Blakely of James City County, Virginia, merchant, to John Simmons
of Surry County, Virginia, Feb. 15, 1715, land in Surry County (Surry
Records 1715-1730 page 90).

John Simmons of Southampton County, Virginia, Aug. 10, 1749, qualified
as County Lieutenant.

Account with estate of Col. John Simmons of Southampton 1749. Rev.
John Thomas, Burgess paid for a funeral sermon.

There were many Simmons in Southampton County, Virginia, most of
whom descend from John Simmons. The following marriages are recorded

in this county:

Ben j amine Simmons and Louisa Drewry, 22 Feb. 1830.

Cordall Simmons and Cely Harris, 31 Oct. 1825.

Coidy Simmons and Polly Chitly, 6 Dec. 1827.

Eyer Simmons and Mrs. Peggy Bittle, 21 March 1811.

Daniel W. Simmons and Rebecca Hines, 18 March 1819.

Edwin Simmons and Polly Williams, 28 Dec. 1804.

Henry Simmons and Rebecca Andrews, 12 Jan. 1786.

John Simmons and Lucy Hope (Thope or Tharpe), 29 Dec. 1761.

John Simmons and Sarah S. Wiliams, 12 Aug. 1818, Security Charles
Simmons.

John S. Simmons and Mary Barnes, 14 Nov. 1822.

Nathaniel Simmons and Jane Reese, 29 March 1816.

Peter Simmons and Margaret Drew, 18 Sept. 1797.

Richard Simmons and Nancy A. Simmons, 14 Feb. 1814.

Richard Simmons and Mrs. Lucy Bittle, 17 Jan. 1842.

Richard B. Simmons and Elizabeth Dudley, 17 Feb. 1823.

Spratley Simmons and Ann Drury, 13 Sept. 1787.

Thomas Simmons and Ann Williams, 19 Nov. — ?

Thomas Simmons and Lucy Clements, daughter of George Clements,

6 Aug. 1782.

Thomas Simmons and Martha A. Myrick, 2 May 1840.

Valentine Simmons and Temperance Atkinson, June 1798.

Vellaroy P. Simmons and Evaline Lamb, 2 Nov. 1840, Thos. Simmons,
security.

William Simmons and Sarah Butts, 7 Jan. 1758.

William Simmons and Jane Lewis, 9 Sept. 1790, Mary Lewis, mother.
William Simmons and Elizabeth Newsome, 15 Aug. 1803.

William Simmons Sr., and Temperance Murfree, 11 May 1830.

William D. Simmons and Catherine Harrison, 17 Oct. 1825. Peter Simmons,
security.

110

Simmons Family

Zebulon L. Simmons and Keziah Hines, 17 Feb. 1820.

William Simmons of Southampton County, will proved April 1801.

John Simmons of Isle of Wight County, Virginia, will dated June 18, 1746,
proved Southampton County, Virginia, Dec. 14, 1749, in which he is styled,
“Gentleman’, indicating a man of wealth and prominence in his community.
In his will, he names his wife Mary, to whom land is left and for whom
provision is made in a deed of trust to Charles Simmons in 1740; son William
Simmons to have land in Surry County; son Benj amine Simmons to have land
adjoining that on which Benj amine now lives; son Charles; daughter Ann,
wife of Edwin Rulfin; daughter Lucy, wife of Benj amine Ruffin; daughter
Elizabeth, wife of Ellerton (Albridgton) Jones; son Henry; Howell Edmunds
and Peter Butts, witnesses.

There is a marriage record in Southampton County, Feb. 9, 1770, Albridgton
Jones and Mary Simmons, widow.

John Simmons was Burgess of Isle of Wight County Virginia, Aug. 1736;
May 1740; May 1742; Sept. 1744; July 1746; March 1747; October 1748 and
April 1749.

There lived in Brunswick County, Virginia, a John Simmons, wife Susannah.
Her will recorded in Brunswick County, 1793, in which she calls for children as
follows: daughter Mason Morris; grandchild Benj amine Simmons; grandson
Henry Simmons; grandchildren Simmons Morris, Lucy, Elizabeth, Jane and
Thomas Simmons, Mary Jones, John and Martha Edwards, Susan Owen,
Mary Craft, Susannah Tilman and Jean Hardaway.

Mary Simmons, daughter of John and Susannah Simmons, married May 23,
1751 John Tilman, born April 20, 1734 in Bristol Parish, Prince George
County, Virginia. Their daughter, Susannah is mentioned in her grandmother’s
will. (Tillman family by Stephen F. Tillman, published 1930).

Mason Simmons married in Brunswick County, Virginia 26 Dec. 1785,
Henry Morris. They had a child born about 1786, named Simmons Morris.

In Southampton County, Virginia, Nov. 13, 1771 (M. B.) Lewis Thorpe
and Elizabeth, daughter of Benj amine Simmons, were married. Benj amine
Simmons was one of the first Justices of Southampton County, Jan. 8, 1749
and was Sheriff, 1755. Benjamine Simmons was Burgess for Southampton
County, 1758; Feb. 1759; Nov. 1759; March, May and October 1760; March
1761; March 1762; Nov. 1762; May 1763; Jan. 1764; March 1767 and March
1768.

Daniel Simmons married in Mecklenburg County, Virginia Sept. 25, 1788,
Mary, daughter of Edwin Gray.

Virkus, Vol. 7, page 243, says, Susanna (died ante 17791 married 1741
as his first wife, Richard Simmons (died 1784) of Landonia planter, Prince
George County, Maryland and had a son Samuel Simmons who married 1762
as her first husband, Verlinda Willett (1748 ca. 1820 P. G. Co.). They had
a daughter, Tabitha Simmons, born 1765, died 1850, married George Phelps.

Benjamine Simmons of Brunswick Countv, Virginia, was a Revolutionary
patriot (D.A.R. Mag. April 1934 page 244) also (6 Tyler, page 106; 0. B. “B”

Simmons Family

111

pages 417-425-436-437-468-488-527) and (Brunswick Co. Va. Court 25 Feb.
1782). This Benjamine Simmons married in Brunswick County, 24 Dec. 1773
Martha Embrey.

There is a marriage in Greenville County, Virginia (Tyler 3, page 197)
Gronow Owen and Elizabeth Simmons, dated 8 Dec. 1796, security Benjamine
Simmons.

Anderson Simmons of Burleigh Monthly Meeting (Friends records), Prince
George County, Virginia, is mentioned 21 day Jan. 1775.

One Benjamine Simmons married in Brunswick County, Virginia, 29 Jan.
1772, Sarah Butts, daughter of John Butts. The will of John Butts, Greenville
County, Virginia, dated Oct. 1, 1793, proved 1795, wife Sarah, mentions
children Thomas, Clements, Peter, Jesse, John, Sarah Simmons and son-in-law
Benjamine Simmons.

Henry Simmons of Brunswick County, Virginia was a Revolutionary Patriot.
His will bears date, 1766. (Brunswick Co. Va. will) (D.A.R. Mag. April 1934,
page 244) .

Peter Simmons of Brunswick County, Virginia, left a will in that county,
dated 1767. Jehu Peebles on May 12, 1759, purchased land 620 acres in said
county on south side of Three Creeks joining Peter Simmons and John Batts
line. (Land office, Richmond, Va. 1750 Book 34, page 267).

There was a Thomas Simmons in Brunswick County, Virginia, who left a
will dated 1774; and a Henry Simmons in the same county whose will bears
date 1781.

In Prince George County, Virginia, I find the will of a John Simmons which
bears date 1721; and I find that there was a William Simmons in the county
1782-1787.

James Simmons of Isle of Wight County, Virginia, is mentioned by
Chapman, page 147 (I. of W. Co. Va. Rec. Vol. 2) John Eley, James Bridger
and John Marshall appointed to settle and set aside the dower of Ann Simmons,
widow of James Simmons, on Oct. 4, 1750.

Fields Simmons lived in Brunswick County, Virginia. Martha Simmons,
daughter of Field Simmons, married in Brunswick on 6 Sept. 1793 Drury
Jones. (Brunswick Co. M. B. ).

The will of Mary Maclin dated Jan. 4, 1745, proved 1746, Brunswick
County, Virginia, states that she is the “relict of William Mattox, deceased’
and mentions William Mattox, Mary wife of Isaac House, Sarah Lloyd,
Prudence Simmons, grandchild Tabitha Simmons, Priscilla Lloyd. Elizabeth
and Branch Harrison and William House. Son-in-law John Harrison.

Lucy Simmons, married William Randle (born 1716). I do not find
this marriage bond in Brunswick County, but they resided in Brunswick County.

Another Lucy Simmons married Francis Jones, 11 Jan. 1799, in Brunswick
County Virginia. (Brunswick M. B.).

There was a Randol Simmons in Prince George County, Virginia, shown
in the tax papers with one poll, 1782-1787.

112

Simmons Family

Ann Simmons married Robert Hunnicutt and had a daughter Mary
Hunnicutt born 1755 married Mr. Ladd; and a daughter Martha, born Sept.
1757 who married 1775 Chappell Rlnford of Prince George County.

In Mecklenburg County, Virginia, a Mr. — Simmons married Sarah
Edmunds on 13 Nov. 1790. She was a daughter of Karrenhappuek Edmunds
of that county. There is some indication that the name, Edmund, may have
derived from this marriage, the family name being used in the Simmons family
as a given name.

Charles Simmons married 19 Dec. 1795, Hannah Drewry in Mecklenburg
County, Virginia. (M. B.).

John Simmons married Susanna Jones, 12 June 1766 in Mecklenburg
County.

Another Charles Simmons married in Mecklenburg County, 12 Feb. 1756,
Mary Wainwright.

Edmond Simmons of Mecklenburg County, Virginia, enumerated in the
1820 census (Census, Washington, D. C. page 155, Meek. Co. Va.) with no
family, himself then aged between 16 and 26 years, but the head of his
household. In the same census report for Mecklenburg County, appears
(page 151) Samuel Simmonds, with i male over 45 years (probably himself)
1 male aged between 16 and 26 years, 1 male under 10 years of age. and females
1 between ages 26 and 45 years (probably wife), 1 female between age 16
and 26 years, and 3 females between 10 and 16 years.

in the same year appears Graset Simmonds as head of a family including
1 male 10 to 16 years, and one female over 45 years of age. (She was
probably a widow with one son living in her household).

William Simmonds is also shown as head of a family in the same year, in
Mecklenburg, with one male aged between 26 and 45 years (himself), 1 male
aged under 10 years, and 1 female 16 to 26 years of age and 1 female under
10 years of age.

Page 158, Mecklenburg, 1820 census, shows a Samuel Simmonds between
16 and 26 years of age, the head of his household, without family.

Page 160, the same county, and same report, lists Sally Simmonds, with
1 male aged between 10 and 16 years, and 1 female over 45 years (probably
herself ) , also one female between the ages of 16 and 26 years.

There is also one Joseph Simmonds as head of a family of 3 males between
16 and 26 years, 2 males between 16-18 years, 1 male between 10-16 years,
and 1 male under 10 years.

Page 162, of the same report, Martha Simmonds, with a family of 1 male
aged 16-26 years, 1 male aged 10-16 years, 1 male under 10 years of age, and
i female aged 26-45 years, 1 female aged between 16-26 years, one female aged
between 10-16 years and 2 females under 10 years of age.

On the same page is recorded Samuel Simmonds, as head of household aged
between 16-26 years, no family.

Simmons Family

113

John Simmonds, aged over 45 years, also appears in the 1820 report, with
1 male aged between 10-16 years, and 1 female over 45 years of age, and 2
females between 16-26 years.

From the above census of 1820 for Mecklenburg County, Virginia, it is
clearly seen that Mecklenburg County, was the seat of a large number of
Simmons, or Simmonds, while in the same year the adjoining county of
Brunswick, there does not appear a single Simmons or Simmonds enumerated.

Since we are interested only in Edmund Simmons of Mecklenburg County,
all other references to the Simmons or Simmonds have been eliminated in this
sketch.

Edmund Simmons left no will at his death. He married in Mecklenburg
County, Virginia, Elizabeth Collier, July 20, 1822, the surety being Amos Hall.
(Meek. M. B.).

Edmund Simmons died comparatively a young man. There is a qualification
(list of Fiduciaries) wherein Daniel Missaugh qualified as administrator
of the estate of Edmund Simmons on May 20, 1824, with Jones Gee and
Emanuel H. Hudgins as surety. The bond was for $10,000.00 indicating that
Edmund Simmons had property valued at approximately that amount. (Meek.
Co. Va. records).

Elizabeth (Betsy) Collier Simmons, widow of Edmund, left Virginia,
sometime after her husband’s death and located in Rutherford County, Tennes¬
see. It is said she lived with relatives after arriving in Tennessee. With her
came her only child Jane Simmons, born 1823 in Virginia. Jane grew to
ladyhood among the whispers of the fertile fields of Rutherford County. When
barely eighteen years of age, she won the admiration of the young widower,
Charles Lewis Davis, who had with his first wife, migrated from Mecklenburg
County, Virginia, to Rutherford County, Tennessee. Davis, a stately young man
with four motherless children, took a fancy to the frail, dainty, and loveable
Jane to whom he was married in 1841 in Rutherford County. Their first born,
a son, they named Sam Davis who was destined to become the renounced “hero
of the Confederacy.”

Just what relation Jane Simmons was to the other Simmons living in
Rutherford County, we have not been able to determine, but the connection
would seem very remote.

In 1850, the Rutherford County, Tennessee, census shows a Garrett Simmons
aged 49 years, a farmer, born in North Carolina, with wife Susan aged 49
years, also born in North Carolina. Their household at the time of the
enumeration consisted of the following:

Garrett W. Simmons, aged 19 years, born in Illinois.

William M. Simmons, aged 18 years, born in Tennessee.

John H. Simmons, aged 14 years, born in Tennessee.

Newton C. Simmons, aged 11 years, born in Tennessee.

Mary A. Simmons, aged 24 years, born in Tennessee.

Temperance Simmons, aged 21 years, born in Tennessee.

Rebecca A. Simmons, aged 20 years, born in Tennessee.

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Simmons Family

In the same year in the Versailles District of Rutherford County, lived
Martha A. Simmons aged 44 years, born in Tennessee, in whose household was
W. I. Simmons aged 18 years born in Tennessee, and Harry I. Simmons,
aged 16 years, also born in Tennessee.

The Rutherford County, Tennessee, census of 1860 shows W. Simmons,
aged 28 years, a farmer, born in Tennessee, with wife A. Simmons, aged 23
years, born in the same state, and a family consisting of;

D. H. Simmons, aged 6 years, born in Tennessee.

J. 0. Simmons, aged 3 years, born in Tennessee.

J. W. Simmons, aged 1 year, born in Tennessee.

Thomas S. Irrott was living in Rutherford County, in 1860, at which time
his age is recorded as 55 years, born in Virginia and in his household was,
W. Simmons aged 25 years born in Tennessee.

In the same year, there lived in Rutherford County, W. A. Simmons, aged
56 years, a female, born in North Carolina.

There were a number of Simmons living in Lincoln, Bedford, Franklin and
Williamson Counties, Tennessee, about the same time as the above are found
in Rutherford County, which I find were seated in these counties for several
years previously. Traditional information conjectures that the Simmons of
Williamson County, Tennessee, were of close relationship to Jane Simmons,
however, I have not found anything to verify the tradition.

Although I have made a careful investigation, I have been unable to
authentically prove the parentage of Edmund Simmons, who married Elizabeth
Collier in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. I am of the opinion that Edmund
Simmons was the son of Samuel Simmons of Mecklenburg County, since Jane’s
first born was given the name of Sam; and, since the name Samuel appears
repeatedly among the Simmons family in Mecklenburg. One Samuel Simmons
left a will in Mecklenburg, dated 1794, and the census of 1820 shows three
different Samuel Simmons in that county at the same time.

An Elizabeth Simmons appears to have died in Mecklenburg County, 1797,
leaving no will, but an inventory. There was a James Simmons whose inventory
bears date, 1789, in Mecklenburg, and a Charles Simmons in Lunenburg County,
Virginia, whose inventory is dated 1752.

Collier Family

The pedigree of Collyers of Darlaston (Hist. Col. of Staffordshire in the
Wm. Salt, Archeological Society Publication Vol. 3. part 2. page 64) visitation
of Staffordshire, 1583.

“Argent on a Chevron Azure between three demi unicorns courant gules
as many acords slipped on crest as demi more affrontee ppr. with rings in
his ears or holding in his dexter hand an oak branch out fructed,” or .

Arms conceded to Robert Collyer of Darlaston, by letter patent dated
(1558), 1st Elizabeth from William Henry Clariencienex, King at Arms.

Robert Collyer of Stone (England), married Isabella, daughter of Sir John
Doddington of Kent, died in 1505, will probated 1522. He and his son
Thurston, leased the manor of Darlaston in 1503 (Henry VII), Vol. XII. N.S. 1.
p. 99. Had issue:

1. Thurston Collyer, who married Elizabeth Turnstall, will probated
1538 (No. Al. Henry VII).

2. James Collier, linen draper, married Isabella Leverson, of Wolve
Shampton, died 1544 (Henry VIII), will probated, 1545, James, son
of Thurston, purchased the manor of Stone from the Crown in 1543,
by deed, dated March 26th, sold Stone to his father-indaw Richard
Needham, of Shavington County, of Salpo (Shropshire), but the sale
was repudiated by his son, Francis Collier in 1599.

3. Robert Collyer, married Agness, daughter of Sir Thomas Vanables of
Kinderton Co. Chester, March 1, 1553, aged 21 years. Robert and
Isabella Doddington, citizen and pewterer of St. Bennett’s Grace Church,
London. (W. S. A. S. pub. XII. N. S. 1. p. 110).

Robert Collyer (son of Thurston Collyer) citizen and pewterer of London
and Mary Strange, widow of St. Botolph Aldgate of the County of Derby,
were married by general license issued Feb. 3, 1570 moved to London about
1600, became a merchant and lived in the parish of St. Give Southwake (Surry
Sites of Thomas) where he died 1625. In 1625, will probated and recorded
page 117, Clarke Sec. P. XXVIII. Had issue:

1. Charles.

2. John, who married Regina, daughter of Mrs. Ann Semilians, died in
December 1649, will dated 18 December 1649, proved 8 Jan. 1650;
directs that he be buried at Beadington in Surrey; gives one third of
his goods to Regina, his wife, one third to his son Charles, and the
remaining one third as follows: to my brother, Isaac Collyer Sr., I
forgive 500 pounds he owes me, to my nephew, Isaac Collyer Jr., 150
pounds. To my mother-in-law, Mrs. Ann Semiliano, 50 pounds. To
her daughter, my sister-in-law, Anna Maria, 200 pounds. To my
brother-in-law, husband of Anna Maria Semiliano Vincentis Malo, 200
pounds from which is to be deducted what he owes me for pictures.
To my brother-in-law John Knight, my interest in the house he now
inhabits in Marks Lane and to my sister, Mary his wife, 20 pounds.
To my cousins William and Mary Jumer, 25 pounds. To Henry Smith,

115

116

Collier Family

15 pounds. To the poor of Beddington, 10 pounds. To Mr. John
Throgmorton, 50 pounds. To the poor of London, 20 pounds. To
William Joliffe, I restore of what I had with him, 100 pounds. Executors
to be my dear friend, Mr. Job Throgmorton. Brother Isaac Collyer
and wife, Regina. If my wife leaves England at any time, my son
Charles is not to go with her; he is to be brought up in English learning
and the Protestant faith. Sealed at Wallington in Surrey the day and
date first mentioned. (Va. Hist. Mag. and Biog. Vol. XVII. p. 303).

3. Mary, married John Knight.

4. Isaac Collyer Sr., to Virginia from London about 1650, settled in Tork
County, Virginia, married Sarah, sister of John and Edward Lockley
of London, the latter of whom in his will of 1667, left his “cousin”
(a term then used to signify nephew) Isaac Collyer, son of Isaac
Collier Sr., Morgan’s plantation 300 acres in York County, Virginia
and Potobello 320 acres in King William County, Virginia.

The first by the name of Collier in the Virginia Colony, which I have found
record on, was Samuel Collier, who came from England 1607 with the first
Company of Colonists and who being a youth, acted as “page” to Captain John
Smith, who he accompanied in his exploring excursions into the unknown
parts of Virginia (Ca. Co. Rec. and Smith’s writings).

In 1609, he lived among the Indians at Warrackovark to learn their language
and in 1622, we read that “Quartering about Kecoughtan, after the watch
was set, Samuel Collyer, one of the most ancientest planters and very well
acquainted with their language and habitation (that of salvages) humors and
conditions and Governor of a Town, when the watch was set, going the round
unfortunately by a continnill that discharged his piece was slain (Smith’s
General 4 page 158). Samuel Collyer left no children.

Henry Collier probably a recent arrival, received August 28, 1657, a grant
of land 50 acres in New Kent County, Virginia (Va. Land Register 4 page 147.) .

John Collier of Little York, Virginia, born 1670-1685 native of England,
lived on \ ork River not far above Yorktown. His estate named Porto Bello.
The name was given after his two sons, officers of a Virginia Regiment
accompanying Admiral Vernon in the Carthagena expedition 1740-42 and in
honor of the famous fortress Porto Bello on the Spanish Main.

Laurence Washington was Captain in the same regiment and about the
same time, named the plantation on the Potomac, “Mt. Vernon.”

Porto Bello passed out of the family about the middle of the last century.

The exact relationship between Isaac Collyer and the John Collier of the
4 ork River settlement, is not accurately known. However, in both lines, Porto
Bello figures with distinction, therefore, there must have been a close family
connection.

I am not endeavoring to write a full and complete history of all the Collyers
(Colliers) of Virginia, but to give only the pedigree of that branch with which
Sam Davis, the Tennessee hero is connected. I will, however, as a matter of
record, give a brief outline of what I have on both the descendants of Isaac
Collver and John Collier.

Collier Family

117

The name is found with one “1” or with “y” instead of “i” in the early
Virginia records, apparently not signifying either line of the family, since it is
so done in both branches of the Collier family. The usual American spelling
being, “COLLIER.”

Isaac Collyer Senior, of York County Virginia and Potobello, died in 1688.
Will proved May 24, 1688. Left issue:

1. Isaac Collier, Jr., died unmarried before his father and his brother,
Thomas administered upon his estate.

2. Thomas Collier, married Mary — , died 1704. Had only one child
Mary, who probably died young.

3. Charles Collier married Judith Harrison and died in 1722, will proved
August 20, 1722, leaving issue.

4. Abraham Collier, died unmarried before 1704.

5. Sarah Collier was living, but unmarried in 1711.

Charles Collier (Isaac,) Isaac married Judith Harrison and died 1722,
will, had issue:

1. Isaac Collier, married Ann, daughter of Thomas Vine, whose will
was proved August 15, 1737 and resided at Porto Bello on the York
River, mentions daughter Anne Collier and also states that he was
son-indaw of Thomas Vines and his wife Mary Hill, and that his
mother-in-law (Mary Hill) was the daughter of Thomas Hill and
Eleanor Charles, and that said Hill was the son of John, who was
son of Captain Thomas Hill by Mary, daughter of Captain Abraham
Pearsly by Francis, widow of Nathaniel West.

Isaac Collier moved to Brunswick County, Virginia where he died, leaving
will 1771. Had issue:

a. Myhill, married (1) Tabitha Harrison Nov. 26, 1769, daughter
of Ben j amine Harrison and sister of William Henry Harrison,
6th President of the United States, and signer of the Declara¬
tion of Independence. Myhill, married (2) Judith Harrison,
sister of Tabitha, his first wife.

b. Elizabeth Collier, married a Mr. Smith.

c. Vines Collier, died in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, 1795.
He married in 1760, Brunswick County, Virginia, Elizabeth
Williams.

d. Isaac Collier, died 1795 in Greenville County, Virginia.
He married Mary Powell.

e. Thomas Collier, died in Greenville County, Virginia, 1795.

f. Charles Collier, married Susannah, daughter of William Smith.

g. Judith Collier, married James Hicks. His will in Brunswick
County, Virginia, 1789, names children Charles, John, Isaac,
George, Vines, James, Nancy Ann Vines (married Dr. Win.
Walker, surgeon in War of 1812, of Brunswick County, Va.,)
and Sally (married Mr. Hardaway).

118

Collier Family

2. Thomas Collier, left will in Brunswick County, Virginia, 1760, in which
he names:

a. Ben j amine,

b. John,

c. Thomas,

d. Lucy,

e. Martha,

f. Hannah, wife of George Grimes,

g. Faith, wife of John Moore.

3. Charles Collier, married Lucy. She died in Surry County, Va. 1778,
and he died in Brunswick County, Va. leaving a will dated 1773-1775.
Charles and Lucy, his wife had issue:

a. John, of Southampton, Va.

b. Henry, who married Dinah. He died in Southwark Parish,
Surry Co. Va. 1777 leaving:

a. Ann, who married John Marks of Henrico Co. Va.

b. Martha, who married Arthur Forster of South¬
ampton, County, Virginia.

c. Sarah, who married William Bailey of Surry Co. Va.

d. Rebecca, who married Joseph Cheatham of Surry
County, Virginia.

c. George.

d. Elizabeth, who married Mr. Harris.

e. Ann, who married Mr. Moody.

f. Lucy, who married a Mr. Wilson.

4. Elizabeth.

John Collier of Little York, Virginia, born 1670-1685, native of England,
lived on York River at Porto Bello, died 1765 (O.F.S.ii). He married first,
a Miss Ballard of Virginia, by whom he had no issue. He married secondly,
Miss Gaines and had one son. Thirdly, he married Nancy Eppe or Eyes,
daughter of Col. Francis Eppes of Virginia, by whom he had issue:

1. John Collyer (Collier) of Porto Bello, born 1707-1717. One of the
sons who accompanied Admiral Vernon on expedition. He married
Elizabeth Ironmonger, probably of New Kent County, Virginia.

2. Cornelius Collier, born 1720-30 moved to the Meherrin River section,
owned lands in Lunenburg, Charlotte, and adjoining counties, Virginia,
and after the Revolution, moved to South Carolina.

3. William Collier, born about 1712, probably a little earlier, since
the exact date of his birth not available. Married—, who was deceased
before 1759, and not found mentioned in William’s will.

4. James.

5. Ben j amine.

Collier Family

119

6. Mary.

7. Frances.

8. Judith, either a daughter or niece, married James Hicks.

9. Thomas, either a son or a nephew.

John Collier (John), of Porto Bello, born 1707-1717 probably inherited
the estate and one who accompanied Admiral Vernon. Before his father’s
death engaged in planting on the James River. He took up 50 acres in Isle
of Wight County, Virginia, July 20, 1738 and in 1745, John and Thomas
Collier were extensive planters of tobacco in Surry County, Virginia. His
will in Surry County, dated 1732. He died before Sept. 26, 1749, (Surry Co.
Va. records). John Collier married Elizabeth Ironmonger, probably of the
New Kent County, Virginia, family of that name. She died before 1756. They
had issue:

1. Thomas.

2. John.

3. Joseph, born 1749, died 1819. Was First Lieutenant in Charlotte
County, Virginia, Revolutionary War. Married 1776 Ann Mosley,,
born 1757, died 1819. They moved to South Carolina. Their son,
Meredith Collier, born 1782, died 1863, Fulton Co. Georgia, married
1806 Elizabeth Gray, born 1785, died 1876. Meredith Collier and
wife Elizabeth, were parents of Judge John Collier, born 1815, died 1893
of the Supreme Court of Georgia, who married 1843, Henrietta Elizabeth
Wilson, born 1826, died 1901.

4. Mary, born 1756, married Samuel Goode.

5. A daughter, married Mr. Hutchinson of Mecklenburg County, Va.

6. Sally, married Robert Goode.

7. A daughter married Mr. Ingram.

8. A daughter married Mr. Turner.

Cornelius Collier (John) of Abbeville District, South Carolina, born
1720-30 moved to the Meherrin River, owned much land in Lunenburg County,
Virginia, near now Charlotte Co. His plantation occupied by Tarleton during
his raid of 1776. After the Revolutionary War, 1802, he moved to South
Carolina. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John W. Wyatt of Gloucester
County, Virginia, who was a grandson of either Sir Francis Wyatt, Governor
of Virginia, or more probably of Rev. Hawte Wyatt, his brother. Cornelius
Collier and wife had issue:

1. John,

2. James,

3. Wyatt,

4. William.

5. Edward,

6. Nancy Wyatt, married Joshua Hill.

William Collier (John) was born about 1710-1712 in Virginia. He married
about 1730 to 1735. exact date not found, neither do I find the name of his

120

Collier Family

wife mentioned in any record which I have found. His wife had died before
the making of his will Nov. 13, 1759, as she is not mentioned therein. William
Collier, located in Brunswick County, Virginia, where he left a will dated
Nov. 13, 1759, proved 1759. (Wills Bruns. Co. Va.). In his will, he is
recited as “William Collier of St. Andrews Parish, Brunswick County, Vir¬
ginia.” He names the following as his children:

1. Howell Lewis Collier,

2. Nathaniel Collier, whose will is in Mecklenburg County, Virginia,
dated November 1774.

3. Moses Collier,

4. Drury Collier,

5. Frederick Collier,

6. William Collier, born 1751, according to the best information I have
been able to obtain, not finding the exact birth record. He married
Patsy (Martha) daughter of Miles Thweatt, of Brunswick County,
Virginia, on November 22, 1773.

7. Elizabeth Collier, married David Lucas, of Brunswick County, Virginia.

8. Sarah Collier, married James Harrison.

William Collier (William, John) born as near as has been determined about
1751 in St. Andrew’s Parish, Virginia, married Tabitha Thweatt on November
22, 1773 (Brunswick M. B.). Her father, Miles Thweatt, signed the marriage
permit. (“Reliques of Rives” by Childs, p. 225). It is very likely that a
portion of the lands of William Collier, if not all, were located in that part of
Brunswick County, which later became in Mecklenburg County, Virginia.
William Collier and wife, Tabitha (Thweatt) Collier, had a son Miles Collier,
born 1774 in Brunswick or Mecklenburg County, who married Nancy Gee,
daughter of William Gee of Brunswick County, Virginia, on October 30, 1797.
(Bruns. M. B.). William Collier and wife also had a son Nathaniel Collier,
mentioned in Miles Collier’s will, as executor with Jones Gee, in 1810.

Miles Collier (William, William, John) born 1774 in St. Andrews Parish,
Virginia, married Nancy Gee, born 1773-1774 and still living in 1810, when
her husband made his will, on April 18, 1810, Mecklenburg County, Virginia
(W.B. 7. p. 7) probated July 16, 1810 in which he states “that the son is
a minor and directs that the daughters be sent to school” from which I infer
that all the children were minors at the time of his death. He names Nancy
as his wife in said will. He named his brother Nathaniel Collier and his friend
Jones Gee as executors.

Nancy Gee was the daughter of William Gee and wife Tabitha Ingram,
and sister of Bridgett Gee, who married Lewis Davis, parents of Charles Lewis
Davis, the father of Sam Davis, the Tennessee Hero, therefore, Sam Davis, the
Tennessee Hero, traces twice to William Gee and wife Tabitha Ingram, of
Brunswick County, Virginia. (See Gee family). The issue of Miles Collier
and Nancy Gee, his wife, as mentioned in the will of Miles Collier, Mecklenburg
County, Virginia 1810 is:

1. Burrell (Burwell), probably born about 1796.

Collier Family

121

2. Martha.

3. Mary.

4. Peggy (Margaret).

5. Elizabeth, horn March 6, 1806, married Edmund Simmons, in Meck¬
lenburg County, Virginia, July 20, 1822 (Meek. M.B.). He died in
1824, leaving a daughter Jane, who married Charles Lewis Davis,
parents of Sam Davis, the Tennessee Hero.

Elizabeth Collier (Miles, William, William, John) was born in Mecklenburg
County, Virginia, March 6, 1806, married Edmund Simmons in the same
county, July 20, 1822. She died in Rutherford County, Tennessee, March 1,
1890 and is buried in the Davis family graveyard near Smyrna, Rutherford
County, Tennessee. Her husband, Edmund Simmons died in Mecklenburg
County, Virginia 1824, probably in April or May, as on May 20, 1824, his
estate was administered by Jones Gee and Emanuel H. Hudgins. (Meek. Co.
Va. Rec.). Their only child, a daughter Jane Simmons, born 1823 in Meck¬
lenburg County, Virginia, married in Rutherford County, Tennessee, on May
19, 1841, Charles Lewis Davis. She was his second wife. Their eldest son,
Sam Davis, the Tennessee Hero.

Mrs. Elizabeth Collier Simmons, remained a widow after her husband’s
death. She came to Tennessee in 1840 and located in the Smyrna or Stewarts-
boro community and it is thought lived for a time in Jefferson, which place
at that time was a village of a number of inhabitants. Jane Simmons Davis
died January 23, 1874, which was not very long after her husband, Charles
Lewis Davis. Mrs. Betsy (Elizabeth) Collier Simmons, died March 2, 1891.
After the marriage of Jane Simmons and Charles Lewis Davis, Mrs. Betsy
C. Simmons, went to reside at the Davis home, where she died. (Records kept
by the family show a year’s difference in her death date).

122

Collier Family

/•d. C^tizaletli (Collier

immons

Gee Family

Hotten, says, John Gee aged 18 years, came to Virginia July 4, 1635 in
the ship “Transport.” He was certainly not the first Gee to America or to
Virginia, for a John Gee died in James City County, Virginia, 1624. (Lunen¬
burg County, Va. by Bell).

Sir William Gee was one of the adventurers of the second Virginia Company,
1620 and may have been the ancestor or a connection of Charles Gee, who
owned 484 acres of land in Prince George County, Virginia, as shown in
the Quit Rent Rolls of 1704 for that county.

- Greer, in his “Early Virginia Immigrants” mentions several Gees in the
Tidewater counties prior to 1650.

There were Gees in Henrico County, Virginia. The first authentic record
to the family in Henrico County court is to the effect that Henry Gee Jr., son
of Henry Gee and Mary Elam, his wife, were witness to a deed 1678; and in
the same year was recorded a deed from Gilbert Elam to his grandson, Henry
Gee, Jr. In the will of Gilbert Elam probated 1696, he disposes of a
considerable estate, among devises being a 120 acre tract of land to his
grandson Henry Gee, and 370 acre tract on Falling Creek, now near Richmond,
jointly to his daughter Elizabeth Elam and his grandson, Gilbert Gee. The
tithe list 1679 Henrico County, lists Mr. Henry Gee.

Gilbert Gee married Catherine Roberts, widow in 1723. Henry Gee Jr.,
probably died young as there is no mention of him after 1700.

The will of Elizabeth Gee probated in Henrico County, in 1732.

The will of Henry Trent probated in Henrico County 1726, mentions his
mother, Elizabeth Gee. Gilbert Gee and John Trent received a land patent
for 400 acres in Henrico County, 1725.

No further reference is made to the Gees in Henrico after probating the will
of Gilbert Gee, 1734, in which he leaves property to persons not named or
identified as Gee. He evidently died leaving no issue.

There was a petition for land patent in Henrico County 1719, by Joshua
Gee and others, but it was not granted.

There is a tradition in the Gee family that two Gee brothers from England,
came to Virginia, one left no issue and the other is the ancestor of most of
the Gees in the Tidewater section of Virginia and the South.

It is possible that Henry Gee of Henrico County is the brother leaving no
issue and Charles Gee, who left a large number of descendants, the other
brother.

Charles and Henry Gee are thought to be descended from the Gees around
Manchester and Stretford, England. The names Charles, Henry and James,
appear at Manchester and Stretford about 1500 and continue until about the
time of the Virginia immigrant was born and soon after drop from the
Manchester and Stretford records.

Charles Gee was probably not long arrived in Virginia, when he first
appears in 1704. Charles Gee of Surry and Prince George County, first

123

124

Gee Family

referred to in 1704-05 in the Quit Rent Rolls in which he is taxed for 484
acres in Prince George County. The only other Gee listed in the Quit Rent
Rolls, is Henry Gee for 435 acres in Henrico County.

Charles Gee probably not in Virginia prior to 1704. The Surry records
(formed from James City County 1652) are intact; first reference to him in
Surry records is a deed August 30, 1707 from Charles Gee to Timothy
Reading, conveying 125 acres in Surry on North side of Joseph Swamp.

Prince George County, was formed from Charles City County in 1702,
and although a few scattered Charles City records have been preserved, such as
record book 1655-6, no Gee references are found. (Gee Genealogy, by Fletcher,
pub. 1937).

William Eppes, deceased - his execution - Elizabeth Eppes brings

suit against Hannah Gee, administratrix of estate of Charles Gee 1716, suit
dismissed (Surry Co. Va. O.B. 1713-18 p. 88).

There is some indication that Hannah Gee was a Miss Drury, but positive
proof is lacking.

Certificate of Charles Gee, deceased, presented in court and recorded in
Surry County, July 5, 1709; Hannah Gee, administratrix, and John Cook,
William Cooke and William Heath, as appraisers, value of personal estate of
Charles Gee, 20,652 pounds tobacco and three Indian slaves. An additional
return of the estate was appraised at 10,400 pounds of tobacco.

Charles Gee, wife Hannah, of Prince George County, Virginia, is definitely
the earliest of this line of the Gees we have authentic information concerning.
Hannah Cee deeded land in Prince George County, 1715 to James Mason.
It was probably Charles Gee’s brother, Henry Gee, who owned 445 acres of land
in Henrico in 1705 (“Reliques of the Rives,” by Childs, p. 436-437).

There is no doubt that Hannah Gee was widow of Charles Gee, and there
can be no doubt that James, Charles, Henry and Robert were sons of Charles
and Hannah Gee.

A deed from John Mason of Surry County, conveying to Hannah Gee of
Surry County, 200 acres in Prince George County in Warwick Meadow, dated
9 September 1715; witnessed by James Gee and Charles Gee. In the acknow¬
ledgment of the above, it is recorded that James Gee was the son of the grantee,
Hannah Gee.

There is a deed recorded in Chowan County, North Carolina, an abstract
as follows: “James Gee of Surry County, Virginia, to William Bridges
(Bridger) of Isle of Wight County, Virginia for 640 acres on the North side
of Meherrin River, September 15, 1716. Teste: James Gee, John Mairne;
also, patented granted to Charles Gee, heired by me for him (N. C. Hist, and
Gen. Register, Vol. 1. p. 296, by Hathaway).

There are other land patents in Sussex, Surry, Prince George and Lunenburg
Counties, to the Gees.

Just outside the hamlet of Stoney Creek, three miles from the Prince George
County line in Surry (now Sussex County) a large plantation still known

Gee Family - 125

locally as, “The Gee Farm,” although there has not been a Gee to live there for
many years.

There is a large map of Prince George County, Virginia, made 1864,
showing topography and farms of residents. Joan (now Jones) Hole Swamp
is near and parallel to the Dinwiddie line and crosses the Sussex line almost
at right angles. Parallel to Joan Hole Swamp to the South is Joseph s Swamp,
about five miles distant where it crosses the Sussex line, and about two miles
south of Joseph’s Swamp, is Warwick (Waugbrick) Swamp. Second Swamp
being also parallel and to the south of Warwick Swamp.

On the Sussex and Prince George line, Joan Hole Swamp is about seven
miles from Warwick Swamp, that is, the streams; but they converge, so that
about two miles in the interior of Prince George, they are not more than four
miles apart, and it is to be remembered that land lying anywhere between two
swamps would be described as in the nearest swamp.

The map shows the Cee family in Prince George County about three miles
from the Sussex County line between Joseph and Warwick Swamps, a Heath
farm about one and one half miles northeast therefrom and another Gee farm
north of Warwick Swamp about three miles southeast of the first Gee farm,
while one and a half miles from the second Gee farm on the south side of
Warwick Swamp, is a third Gee farm. (Gee Genealogy by Fletcher, 1937).

Captain James Gee, oldest son of Charles Gee, born 1694 (deposition made
by his son, Henry Gee after the death of his father, October 28, 1759).
(Albemarle Parish Register p. 160). He lived in Surry County. Captain
James Gee died, according to the Parish Register, October 28, 1759. James
Gee married Boyce, daughter of John Scott.

February 12, 1721, Charles Williams of Prince George County, conveyed
to James Gee of Surry County, 200 acres partly in Surry and partly in Prince
George County (P.G.Co. 1713-1725).

On February 18, 1722, James Gee of Prince George County, received patent
174 acres land on south side Second Swamp in Prince George, adjoining
Henry Leadhetter and Charles Williams.

John Scott, of Prince George County, the owner of 300 acres of land in that
county 1704, made a will in Prince George, June 1, 1724, which was probated
June 9, 1724, disposing of a considerable estate and naming legatees, his
daughter Boyce Gee; son-in-law James Gee; his grandsons Thomas and John
Scott; and his daughter Bridgett Tatum (wife of Christopher Tatum (born
1683) ; Amelia Tatum (married Nathaniel Tatum) and resided in Bristol
Parish; Bethrer (Bethia) Bunowe and Elizabeth Chappell.

Captain James Gee was a prominent resident of that part of Surry County,
from which Sussex County was formed 1754. He made his will in Sussex
County, July 8, 1759, probated February 15, 1760 (Sussex W.M. “A” p. 147).
He named his wife Boyce and disposing of an important estate, including
land in Northampton County, North Carolina. The issue of Captain James
Gee and Boyce (Scott) Gee:

126

Gee Family

1. Charles Gee, born about 1718 and died ca. 1784. (Sussex County D.B.
“D” p. 291) ; lived in Prince George County, married Mary, daughter
of James Chappell and Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of Henry Briggs.
James Chappell was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Jones) Chappell
and brother of Samuel Chappell, who married Elizabeth, daughter of
John Scott. Charles Gee was appointed every four years to procession
land between Jones Hole and Warwick Swamp from 1743 to 1760 (Bris¬
tol Parish Register). In 1785, Mary Gee is taxed for estate of Charles
Gee and for some property. The only other Gee names appearing on the
Prince George County lists for 1782-1812, are John Gee for 174 acres,
known as “Howard’’ south on Second Swamp, etc. Charles Gee Jr.,
on personal tax 1785 and after death of his mother in 1788, he is taxed
for 439 acres and by 1800, he had acquired about 100 acres in addition
and his widow, Rachel Gee, taxed for 200 acres and 100 acre tracts.
Hannah Gee conveyed to her son Henry Gee in 1728. The will of
Mary Gee, widow of Charles Gee of Martin Brandon Parish, Prince
George County, dated September 13, 1788, proved October 14, 1788,
children Charles, John, Henry, Boyce (married Mr. Powell), Sary
(married a Rives), Elizabeth (married a Potts), Mary Gee and Rebecca
(married Mr. Parham) ; sons Charles and Henry Gee, executors.

2. Sarah Gee, married John Rives (“Reliques of the Rives,” by Childs).

3. Elizabeth Gee, married as his first wife, June 9, 1760, Sussex County,
Virginia, John Mason Jr., of Sussex County. He was born April 17,
1741 and died September 12, 1802, son of Major John Mason and
wife Elizabeth Briggs (daughter of Henry Briggs). Major John Mason
was son of Captain John Mason of Surry County, Albemarle Parish;
Captain John Mason died September 3, 1755 and his wife Elizabeth died
August 21, 1763. John Mason after Elizabeth’s death, married as his
second wife, Mrs. Jane Thweatt, widow of William Thweatt and
daughter of Ephraim Parham of Sussex County. John Mason’s children
were Elizabeth,, born 1772, who married Benjamine Wyche, and John
Rains Mason, born 1770, married Sarah Harrison Cargill. James
Mason, brother of John Mason, born January 4, 1744, died in Greenville
County, Virginia. James was a Captain in the American Revolution.
He married first, Elizabeth, daughter of John and Susan (Edmunds)
Harrison. He married secondly, 1777, Rebecca, daughter of William
and Jane (Parham) Thweatt, his brother’s step-daughter. (Sussex
Co. Va. Records).

4. James Gee, Jr., born about 1741, died November 12, 1777, lived in
Halifax County, North Carolina. He is named in his father’s will and
his daughter, Boyce is also named in the will of Captain James Gee.

5. Henry Gee, married March 16, 1759, Frances, daughter of Ephraim
Parham of Sussex County, Virginia.

6. Drury Gee, to whom 250 acres land in Northampton County, North
Carolina, was given by his father. He moved to North Carolina and

Gee Family ' 127

there died, leaving a will dated 1786, in which he names James T. Gee
and Boyce Gee.

James Gee, late of Sussex County, Virginia, Gent., deceased, did in his life¬
time by parole, give unto his granddaughters, Rebecca and Winnifred, daughters
of John Rives and Sarah his wife, daughter of said James Gee, a negro girl
(D.B. “D” p.291 Sussex Co. Va.).

Rebecca and Winnifred soon after departed this life without making con¬
firmation of the said gift by his last will or otherwise, in writing, etc. Rebecca,
who has become the wife of Robert Temple and where as disputes may arise
as well between the said Robert Temple and Rebecca his wife, who claim right
and are in possession of said negro, Philady and her children, etc. Division
between said Rebecca and Winnifred and Charles Gee, eldest son and heir of
James Gee, deceased, as between the said Robert Temple and Rebecca, his
wife, and John Mason the younger, who intermarried with daughter and
residing legatee named in the last will and testament of the said James Gee,
deceased, December 20, 1770.

Charles Gee and wife Mary Chappell had five children, namely; Mary;
Amy, who married January 30, 1773 in Sussex County, Robert Tatum; Sarah,
baptized August 22, 1743 (Bristol Parish Reg.), married Timothy Rives;
John, baptized January 18, 1845 (Bristol Parish Reg.) ; and Chappell, who
married March 18, 1773 in Sussex County, Rebecca Lucas.

Henry Gee, son of Charles Gee, wife Hannah, died February 1758 (Sussex
Co. O.B. 1757-61 p.25, 125). His executors are shown in a chancery suit
pending — James Gee, Charles Chapman and wife Sarah, John Daniel and
Winnie VS Charles Gee, executor of Henry Gee, deceased, Charles Gee, the
younger, John Gee and Elizabeth Gee.

Henry Gee lived in Martin’s Brandon Parish, Prince George County,
Virginia. Henry Gee is first mentioned in deed May 14, 1728, by Hannah
Gee of Martin Brandon Parish, Prince George County, widow, to take effect
after death in consideration of love and affection to son Henry Gee, to said
Henry Gee for tract land 100 acres purchased by said Hannah Gee from James
Odium by deed, November 4, 1713. Another for 300 acres purchased by
said Hannah Gee from John Mason by deed September 9, 1715 both tracts on
north side of Waughbrick Swamp.

Then in the fragments 1739-40, it is recorded that James Gee and Henry
Gee appeared at Prince George County in 1738 as witnesses to deed from
William Heath of Surry County to Wyche.

From that date to 1782, there is little or nothing in the Prince George
County records pertaining to the family.

Charles Gee was executor of Henry Gee, deceased, in Sussex County court
held on February 18, 1758 (Sussex O.B. 1757-61 p.125).

The earliest Prince George records begin for tax lists in 1782 and in them,
two tracts of land, one for 100 acres and one for 200 acres, given Henry Gee
by his mother Hannah Gee, 1728 are taxed in the name of Rachel Gee.

128

Gee Family

Prince George record book 1787-1782 is a deed November 3, 1789 from
Rachel Gee of Martin Brandon Parish to John Halloway Daniel and wife Anne,
for the 200 acres of land, three negroes, stock, household goods, etc. The land
being described as bounded on one side by land of Abraham Heath, on the
other side by that of William Bonner and on the third side by John Daniel
Jr., and by a gift deed dated May 11, 1790, Rachel Gee conveys “to my
granddaughter, Mason Simmons” wife of Joel Simmons one negro girl,
furniture and etc.

Henry Gee had sons, John, who appears to have gone to Cumberland
County, North Carolina, about 1765; James Gee, born 1741, who also appears
to have gone to Cumberland County, North Carolina, and who had sons
Henry, Charles, John and Walker Gee; and, Charles Gee, who appears to
have gone to Georgetown, South Carolina about 1763.

Charles Gee, Jr., son of Charles Gee and wife Hannah, was born about
1696-7. He lived in Prince George County, and Sussex County, Virginia.
He appears to have taken little part in public affairs, but his descendants
include some of the most distinguished members of the Cee family. (Gee
Genealogy, by Fletcher).

Charles Gee patented land June 22, 1722, 425 acres in Surry County on
South side Main Black Swamp beginning at an ash on Warwick Swamp.

On July 12, 1750, 400 acres on branches of Crooked Creek in Lunenburg
County, adjoining the Cockes, Bookers, Edloes and Ragsdales.

On August 16, 1756, an 800 acre patent in branches of Crooked Creek
in Lunenburg County, 400 acres thereof having previously been granted on
July 12, 1750 and the other 400 acres not before granted (Pat. Book 11, p.140
Book 29, p.268. Book 34 p.113) .

Charles Gee married Bridgett. The records of the births of their children
recorded in Albemarle Parish Register, which also, records the death of
Bridgett Gee on September 10, 1748. They had eight sons, all of whom had
large families.

The evidence seems to point rather strongly that she was a Neville (Neanille,
Neufville), a very old and honorable English family. It is recorded that
John Neville 1612-64 immigrant from England to Maryland in 1643 married
Bridget Thormsley and had a son, James Neviffe (sometimes spelled Neaville)
born about 1642, died 1700, who married Elizabeth and had a son, John
Neville, born about 1665, who went to Isle of Wight County, Virginia and
married Margaret. (Virkus, Vol. 2 p . 2 1 1 ) . Appearing on the Quit Rent
Rolls of Nansemond County, Virginia, 1704, was Benj amine Neville for 475
acres of land and in Halifax County, North Carolina, as early as 1750, Benj amine
Neville and Jesse Neville.

Virkus, Vol. 3 p.459, says, John Neville born about 1612, died 1664, from
England in the “Ark” and the “Dove” to St. Mary’s County, Maryland 1634;
member Maryland council; married Bridgett Thormsley and had a son, James
Nevile born ca 1642, died ca 1700, married Elizabeth, both killed by Indians.
James and Elizabeth Neville had a son, John Nevile born ca 1665, married
Margaret and had Captain James Neville, born 1686, died 1752. Captain

Gee Family

129

Militia in Goochland County, Virginia, married widow Keen and he married
secondly, Lucy Thomas. Captain James Neville had a son, Col. James Neville,
born 1728, died 1784, a Captain in French and Indian war and Colonel in the
American Revolution, who married Mary Lewis and had Elizabeth Neville,
born 1767, died 1822, who married Rowland Edmunds.

Charles Gee in his will dated January 4, 1768, proved August 19, 1768, dis¬
posing of his estate as follows: Son Benjamine Gee, the plantation he (Benja-
mine) now lives on in Lunenburg County, 264 acres of land. Son Jesse Gee,
plantation testator lives on of 425 acres. Sons John and Jesse, stock and cattle.
All negroes and residue of estate to be sold and divided equally among children.
Executors, sons Benjamine Gee and Henry Gee. Witnessed by Richard Carter,

Joshua Boisseau and Benjamine Rives. (Sussex County, Va. W.B. “B,:

p.168) .

The issue of Charles Gee and wife Bridget:

1. James Gee, born circa 1725, patented 223 acres of land in Brunswick
County, 1746 and in 1748, patented 230 acres in Lunenburg County
and in 1752, patented 144 acres in Lunenburg. He was in the District
of Hounds Creek and head of Nottoway River and Meherrin River in
1764, with 624 acres of land. In list of 1772, he was tithed for sons
David and James Jr. By 1775 another son, Charles is listed. James
Gee might have married a daughter of David Jones, named as godfather
to his brother, John Gee. In his will, May 3, 1788 proved February 11,
1802 (W.B. 5 p.81). James Gee devises land to sons David and James
Gee, executors. Other estate to be equally divided among four children,
David, James, Charles and Sarah Barry.

David Gee, born circa 1752, moved to Williamson County, Tennessee
about 1810 and was probably father of Henry Gee aged 57, born in Virginia,
with son David W. Gee aged 25 years (census 1850 Carroll Co. Tenn.). David
Gee probably had a daughter Nancy Gee born 1797, who died in Kansas 1882,
the wife of Alexander Campbell.

James Gee Jr. son of James, born circa 1754 in Lunenburg County,
Virginia, married Sarah Hicks, born 1762. She died October 29, 1837. She
was the daughter of Captain James Hicks of Brunswick County, Virginia
(Bruns. Wills). They lived in Williamson County, Tennessee and had:

a. John Gee, born Nov. 24, 1783.

b. Jones Gee, born Nov. 13, 1785, close friend of Charles Lewis
Davis and Edmund Simmons.

c. William Gee, born January 11, 1788.

d. Martha Williams Gee, born May 7, 1790.

e. Penelope Gee, born January 22, 1792.

f. David William Gee, born December 10, 1794 in Williamson
County, Tennessee in 1830.

g. Mary Winn Gee, born Jan. 24, 1797, died 1847.

130

Gee Family

h. James Hicks Gee, born March 30, 1799 in Virginia and died

1883; lived in Williamson and Carroll Counties, Tennessee.

. ; . 1 * -

Descendants found in Texas.

, * „ . j ,

Charles Gee, son of James was born in Lunenburg County, Virginia, 1759,
married October 15, 1789, Lizzie Skinner in Lunenburg County, Virginia.

Sarah Gee, daughter of James, married Mr. Barry.

2. -Ben j amine Gee, son of Charles and Bridget, and grandson of Charles

Gee and wife Hannah, left a will dated, March 13, 1815 proved 1815,
mentions brother Henry Gee; son Jeremiah Gee; son Jesse Gee; son
Francis Gee; daughter Fanny Gee; daughter Amy Gee; grandsons
Joel M. Ragsdale and Benj amine Ragsdale; grandchildren Francis,
Elizabeth, Mary and Jane Gee and nephew Charles Gee, son of brother
Jesse Gee.

3. John Gee, son of Charles and Bridgett, and grandson of Charles Gee
and wife Hannah, died in South Carolina before 1799, leaving no
issue. (Lunenburg Co. D.B. 18, p.102). He was born January 20,
1741-2 christened March 28, 1742 with godfathers David Jones and
Joseph Mason and Godmother Winnifred Goodwin. (Albemarle
Parish Register).

4. Neville Gee, son of Charles and Bridgett, and grandson of Charles Gee
and wife Hannah, is shown with one tithe and 300 acres of land in
Cumberland Parish Register in 1764, in a list reported by Thomas
Tabb. At the same time appears Henry Gee with one tithe and 500
acres land; Benjamine Gee with one tithe no land; James Gee with
one tithe and 624 acres of land; Charles Gee with 200 acres land; and,
William Gee with three tithes and 243 acres of land. (Cumb. Par. Reg) .

In 1783, the list of Edward Brodnax shows; Henry Gee, Jesse Gee,
Benjamine Gee, Nevil Gee and on the list of Nicholas Hobson, 1783, appears
James Gee, James Gee, Jr., Charles Gee, Daniel Gee and Jesse Gee.

Neville Gee made will dated June 19, 1804 proved July 12, 1804 (W.B. 6,
pp 88-89) mentions children and grandchildren. The grandchildren mentioned
were namely, Patsey Jefferson, Letty Gee, Elizabeth Gee, Nancy Gee, Dolly
Gee, Elizabeth Andrews, and Catherine Gee, a daughter-in-law. The children
were named as follows:

a. Jones Gee, who was born 1760 in Lunenburg County, Virginia
died in Claiborne County, Mississippi in 1825.

b. Jesse Gee.

c. George Gee.

d. Lucas (Luke) Gee.

e. Neavil Gee, who married July 19, 1797 in Mecklenburg
Comity, Virginia, Elizabeth Andrews, daughter of George
Andrews.

f. James Gee, who married Feb. 6, 1797 in Mecklenburg County,
Virginia, Lucy Bugg.

Gee Family

131

g. Nancy Gee, who married Mr. Bowers.

h. Amey Gee, who married Mr. Andrews.

Jones Gee, the son of Neville Gee, was in Mecklenburg County, Virginia
in 1790, but moved to Claiborne County, Mississippi, where he died in 1825.
He apparently had not been in Mississippi very long for his will recorded in
both Claiborne County, Mississippi, and Mecklenburg County, Virginia, bears
date September 27, 1824 proved September 19, 1825. He mentions his brother
Luke (Lucas) Gee in his will. He also mentions a daughter Lucy Gee, who it
is found, married in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, February 28, 1803, William
Drumwright Jr., and, Jesse Gee, who it is found, married in Lunenburg County,
Virginia, December 15, 1806, Jincey Moore.

5. Jesse Gee, the son of Charles and Bridget Gee, and grandson of Charles
and Hannah Gee, was born January 9, 1745-6; christened April 6, 1746;
godfathers Jesse Goodwyn and William Gee and Godmother Mary
Chappell. (Alb. Par. Reg.). From the will of Benjamine Gee, we find
that Jesse Gee had a son, Charles Gee, called nephew in will of
Benjamine.

6. Elizabeth Gee, daughter of Charles and Bridget Gee, and granddaughter
of Charles and Hannah Gee, married a Mr. Bonner.

7. Henry Gee, son of Charles and Bridget Gee, and grandson of Charles
and Hannah Gee, left a will dated April 22, 1810 proved 1815 in which
he names wife Elizabeth, and children, George, Henry, Benjamine,
Thomas, Matthew, Drury, Nancy, Becky and Martha Ragsdale; grand¬
daughter Betsy Jennings Moore.

8. Charles Gee, son of Charles and Bridget, grandson of Charles and
and Hannah Gee. I have made no effort to trace this line of the family.

9. Penelope Gee, daughter of Charles and Bridget, and granddaughter
of Charles and Hannah Gee, appears to have married a Mr. Heath.

10. William Gee, son of Charles and Bridget Gee, grandson of Charles
and wife Hannah Gee, is the line most closely identified with the lineage
traced in this book, and therefore taken up last, although he was not the
youngest child of his parents. This line of the family carries a double
interest since two of William Gee’s children were ancestors of Sam
Davis, the Tennessee Hero.

William Gee was born according to the best information I have been able
to obtain, about 1727. He appears on the Lunenburg tithe list first in 1749
with only one tithe. He married Tabitha Ingram, daughter of John Ingram
as indicated in the will of her father, probated in Brunswick County, Virginia
1763.

William Gee was vestryman of Cumberland Parish 1761-1768. At a
vestry meeting held November 22, 1768, “Thomas Chambers, gent, is chosen
as vestryman in the room of William Gee, Gent., who has removed to Brunswick
County” (Cumb. Par. p. 410).

William Gee was one of the patriots from Brunswick County, who rendered
service during the Revolutionary War by giving supplies, transportation for

]32

Gee Family

the sick, provisions and guns. (7 Tyler, p.lll) (6 Tyler, p.106-7-8). (Bruns.
O.B. 13 p. 417-425-436-468-488-527).

While in Lunenburg County, he lived within the bounds of Hounds Creek
to head of Nottoway and Meherrin Rivers, as is shown in the Cumberland
Parish Register.

William Gee is also found in the vestry book of St. Andrews Parish,
Brunswick County, Virginia, for the first time in 1760 at the same time of
Edward Tatum, Peter Tatum, Jesse Tatum, William Lucas, Timothy Rives,
Lewis Parham, Hon. Lewis Burwell, Sampson Lanier and George Vaughan.

The will of William Gee is of record in Brunswick County, (W.B. 6. p.73)
dated October 11, 1796 probated January 23, 1797, in which is mentioned a
son John, son-in-law Ephraim Parham, daughter Mary Collier, granddaughter
Tabitha Rives, granddaughter Judith Rives, daughter Sarah Rosser, son William
Gee, daughter Penelope Porter, daughter Bridget Davis, son Joshua Gee,
daughter Elizabeth Harrison, son James Gee, daughter Nancy Gee, daughter
Patsy Gee and wife Tabitha. Executors John Gee and William Gee.

The will of Tabitha Gee, dated and probated 1817 in Brunswick County
(W.B. 8 p. 338) states the same children as her husband with the omission of
sons William Gee and James Gee, but mentions daughters Nancy Ferguson
and Patsy Porter, who had married since their father’s death.

It was doubtless their son, William Gee, whose will was probated in
Brunswick County, 1798 mentioning wife Priscilla Gee and brother John Gee.

From the above, we find the issue of William Gee and wife Tabitha
(Ingram) as follows:

1. John.

2. William Gee, who I believe is the William leaving will in Brunswick,
1798, wife Priscilla.

3. Joshua Gee is thought to be identical with Joshua Gee listed in the
1820 census of Orange County, Virginia, who went to Davidson
County, Tennessee and died in 1850 at the age of eighty-three years,
thus he was born in 1767. On May 26, 1820, a deed recorded in
Brunswick County, from Wilson Gee and wife, returned to John Gee
conveying wife Rebecca Gee, interest in a tract of 200 acres on
Meherrin River at Gee’s bridge conveyed by William Gee, the elder,
to son James Gee. The said Rebecca Gee being one of five joint heirs
of Parthenia Parham, deceased, who was one of ten joint heirs of
said James Gee, above mentioned, who is also now deceased. Evidently
this son James Gee died without issue and it was his sister Parthenia
Gee, who married Ephraim Parham (son of Lewis) and had a daughter,
Rebecca Parham, who married first, John Turbyfill and secondly,
Wilson Gee on December 22, 1808. (Bruns. M.B.).

4. James Gee.

5. Nancy Gee, born ca. 1779, married first, Miles Collier and secondly,
Mr. Ferguson. She married her second husband after 1810, the year
in which her first husband, Miles Collier, died in Mecklenburg County,

Gee Family 133

Virginia, and before the death or making of the will of her mother in
1817. Her issue by Collier is recited in the Collier lineage.

6. Patsy Gee, married Mr. Porter.

7. Susan Gee, married Mr. Rosser.

8. Penelope Gee, married Mr. Porter.

9. Bridget, born ca 1775, married 1795 Lewis Davis, who died in 1801,
leaving no will and by whom she had three children, all minors, at
the time of his death. Bridget Gee Davis married secondly in 1802,
Gregory (Brooks) Hudson, who died in Brunswick County, Virginia,
1848 (no will estate account). She died in Brunswick County, 1854,
at which time her estate was administered, but she left no will. For
descendants by Lewis Davis, see the Davis line.

10. Elizabeth, married Mr. Harrison.

11. A daughter, married Mr. Rives and had daughters, Tabitha and Judith,
mentioned in their grandfather’s will 1797.

12. Parthenia, who married Ephraim Parham, called “son-indaw” in
William Gee’s will 1797.

Ingram Family

The earliest RECORD I have of the Ingram family in Virginia is of Roger
Ingram, also spelled Ingrum, of Isle of Wight County. He apparently left no
will. The account of his estate and inventory returned by John Munger,
January 10, 1669. (Isle of Wight County, Va. Records, Vol. 1. p.12, by
Chapman). He was probably the father or grandfather of Roger Ingram,
who died in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, leaving will dated March 12,
1733 and proved September 23, 1734 in which is named: Wife Elizabeth,
son John, daughter Sarah, daughter Elizabeth, son William, son Roger and son
Richard. Executors Thomas Shelley and Ben j amine Hodges. The executors
refused to act and wife Elizabeth, qualified. (I. of W. Co. Va. by Chapman,
Vol. 2, p. 70). (Orig. Rec. W.B. 4 p.18).

There is also a will recorded in Isle of Wight of John Ingrum of the Upper
Parish, in which he mentions a son Roger, son John, son William and a
daughter Elizabeth. Names as executor, son John Ingrum. December 21,
1720 proved June 26, 1721. (I. of W. Co. W.B. 2 p.87).

The will of John Dunnin, December 28, 1676 proved July 9, 1677. Isle
of Wight County, mentions as legatee, Roger Ingrum. (I. of W. Co. by
Chapman, Vol. 1 p.21).

John Ingram, whose will is of record in Brunswick County, Virginia, dated
March 3, 1762 and proved in 1763, (Brunswick Co. wills 1763). (Va. wills by
Torrence), married Hannah Pressley, daughter of Captain Peter Pressley of
Northumberland County, Virginia. In his will, John Ingram mentions his
wife Hannah and names the following children:

1. James Ingram died leaving will in Brunswick County, dated May 18,
1770 proved in the same year. He mentions his sister Tabitha Gee.

2. George Ingram.

3. Joshua Ingram.

4. Jesse Ingram.

5. Richard Ingram.

6. Benj amine Ingram, who died 1795 Brunswick County, married 1756,
Elizabeth Nelson. Their son, Peter Pressley Ingram moved to Hancock
County, Georgia.

7. Joseph Ingram married twice, first, - and secondly, Sally - .

Joseph left a will in Brunswick County, Virginia, dated October 2,
1793 proved in the same year, in which he names his children, Isaac,
Joseph, Charles, William, Mary (married Mr. Mainyard), Grace
(married Mr. Walton), Francis (married Mr. Ferguson), Anney
(married Mr. Branscomb), and two children by his second and last
wife Salley, namely, Patsy and Winney.

8. Samuel Ingram.

9. John Ingram, deceased before his father in 1762 leaving a son,
Jeremiah Ingram.

10. Elizabeth Ingram, who married Mr. Vaughan.

11. Tabitha Ingram, who married William Gee of Brunswick County,
Virginia, ancestors of Sam Davis, the Tennessee Hero.

134

Pressley Family

William Pressley came from England to Virginia, was granted land
patent in 1650. The Northumberland County, Virginia, records are rich with
exploits of the Pressley family, members of whom took an active part in the
development of Colonial Virginia. He is styled “Gent,” a term used only when
a man is of the highest rank in his profession. William Pressley died 1656.
He was Burgess 1647-51 of Northumberland County; high sheriff; and church
warden. (Standard’s “Colonial Virginia Register” p.67; also, “Henning’s”
Vol. 1 p.339-340). He married Jane Newman, who died before 1650.
(“Compendium of American Genealogy,” by Virkus, Vols. 4-5-6-7). He was
the father of:

1. William Pressley, who died 1685; married Miss Mottrom.

2. Peter Pressley, who died 1693; married ca. 1660, Elizabeth Thompson.

Peter Pressley was Justice and Burgess.

William Pressley (William), died 1685, married Miss Mottrom, who died
before 1657. He like his father, was a prominent man in his time. He was
Burgess 1662-76 (“Col. Va. Reg.” p.76). William Pressley, Jr., was the
father of Captain Peter Pressley, who was born ante 1657 and died about
1750 or before 1769, leaving will. Captain Peter Pressley is usually spoken
of as of “Northumberland House.” He married Winnifred Griffin, born
1682, daughter of Colonel Leroy Griffin, justice, civil and military officer;
burgess; member of the Virginia Council.

Colonel LeRoy Griffin was born 1646. He was justice of Rappahannoch
County, Virginia, 1690; married Winnifred Corbin, born 1662, died 1711,
daughter of Henry Corbin.

Henry Corbin also had a daughter, Letetia, born 1657, died 1706, who
married, 1764, Colonel Richard Lee of Mt. Pleasant, of Westmoreland County,
Virginia.

Henry Corbin was born in England, 1629, and died in Virginia, January
8, 1676. He was the son of Thomas Corbin, Esqur., of “Hall End” Polesworth
County, Warwick, England and of London. He came to Virginia and located
in Lancaster County. He was a draper, in London before setting sail in the
“Charity” 1654, for Maryland. He left Maryland soon after his arrival and
located in Lancaster County, Virginia, where he established “Buckingham
Lodge” on the South side Rappahannock River. He also owned “Pickatone” in
Westmoreland and “Corbin Hall” in Middlesex. In 1657, he was justice of
Lancaster County, vestryman of Christ Church, Middlesex; Burgess of Lancaster
1658-60; Member of the Council 1663; Justice of Middlesex 1673; married
ca 1655 Alice (died ca 1684) widow of Rowland Burnham, and daughter of
Richard Eltonhead of “Eltonhead,” Lancaster County, England. (Standard’s
“Colonial Virginia Register” p.38, etc.).

Alice Eltonhead was a sister of Agatha Eltonhead, who married Captain
Ralph Wormsley (1620 ca. 1665) of “Rosegill” Virginia. Her sister, Martha
Eltonhead, married Edwin Conway (1610-75).

135

136

Pressley Family

Captain Peter Pressley (William, William) of “Northumberland House” in
Northumberland County, Virginia, was Justice, Burgess, high sheriff, Colonel
of Militia; and church warden. (Vol. Va. Reg. Standard, p.118). By his
wife Winnifred Griffin, had a daughter, Winnifred Pressley, who married
Anthony Thornton (1695-1754) of St. Paul’s Parish, Stafford County, Virginia,
justice. Hannah Pressley, another daughter, married John Ingram, who died
1763 in Brunswick County, Virginia, leaving a will in which he named, among
other issue, a daughter Tabitha, who married William Gee of Brunswick
County, Virginia. (Va. Hist, and Biog. Mag.; Vol. 26, p.87 ; Vol. 34, pp.92-
187-287) (Tyler’s quarterly) (William and Mary quarterly; Vol. 4, p.179;
Vol. 8, p.2; Vol. 23, p.184).

Thweatt Family

James Thweatt, born 1643, patented land 1672 for transportation of
thirteen persons, including himself; he made a deposition in 1707 that he was
then sixty-four years old. He and Henry Batte patented six hundred, seventy
three acres of land in Charles City County, Virginia, in April 1682. In Prince
George County, Virginia, there is a deed from James Thweatt and Judith, his
wife to William Eaton, all of Prince George County, for land sold.

In 1690, James Thweatt patented 473 acres of land on the south side of
the James River. There are other entries up to 1723, but not shown whether it
was for James Senior or James junior.

We do know however, that the Thweatt family located in Prince George
County, Virginia, before 1704. James Thweatt Sr., owned land in that county in
that year. He had a son James, who in 1704, was of age as he is also known to
have lands in Prince George County at the same time as his father, James Thweatt,
Sr. (Quit Rent Rolls, Prince George Co. Va.). The father and son were
distinguished as “Senior” and “Junior” in these records. Very little is known
of James Thweatt, Sr., except the above. The loss of records in Prince
George County makes the problem still more difficult.

There appears about the same time a John Thweatt, who, from the little
information in hand, must have been a brother of James Thweatt, Jr. (“Re-
liques of Rives” by Childs, p. 225). (“Francis Eppes Lineage” p.253).

James Thweatt, Jr., married Judith Soane and John Thweatt married
Elizabeth Soane, daughters of William Soane. (Va. Rec. Richmond Va.
Archives). (“Francis Eppes Lineage” p.253).

James Thweatt was Justice of Prince George County Court 1712. He was
Sheriff of Prince George County, in 1718-1719.

It was James Thweatt, Sr., who made the deposition in Prince George
County, 1707, stating that his age was sixty-four years, and that he had known
the river called “Nottoway” for the space of “about eight and fourty years or
more.” (Prince George Co. Va. records. Va. State Archives, Richmond, Va.).

The Thweatt family has connection with the Eppes family. Francis Eppes
of Chesterfield County, Virginia, deceased, will 1808 proved 1810, (Chest. Co.
Va. W.B. IX p.637) mentions at Holcomb’s or Randolph’s Tavern in Amelia
County, Va., also owned “Eppington” in Chesterfield County. Francis Eppes
was the son of Richard Eppes of Bumuda Hundred. Had among other
children, a daughter Lucy, who married Archibald Thweatt, and a daughter
Mary, who married Richard Noble Thweatt. Eppington on the Appomattox
river was later the home of the Thweatts.

In the Eppes Genealogy, page 252, it is stated, “Francis Eppes (Richard,
Francis, Francis, Francis, Francis) married Elizabeth Wayles, daughter of
John Wayles of “The Forest” Charles City County, and his first wife believed
to be Mary Cocke, daughter of Richard Cocke, of “Bremo” and wife Ann
Bowles. In 1740, Francis Eppes and wife erected a home on the Appomattox
river in the portion of Henrico County, which in 1749, became Chesterfield.
The issue of Francis and Elizabeth Eppes were:

137

1 33 Thweatt Family

1. Richard, mentioned in the will of his grandfather, 1771, John Wayles.

2. John Wayles Eppes.

3. Matilda W. Eppes, married Mr. Spooner.

4. Martha Bolling Eppes, married 5 Nov. 1798, Jerman Baker.

5. Lucy Eppes, born 1786, married Archibald Thweatt.

6. Mary Eppes, born 1788, died 1860, married Richard Noble Thweatt,
brother of Archibald. Mary and Richard N. Thweatt were parents
of Cornelia Wayles Thweatt, who married Egbert Giles Leigh, Jr.,
(1814-1890).

John Peterson, migrated to Virginia from Great Britain about 1660 or 1670,
settling in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. He died about 1732, leaving
two sons, John and Batte as appears by his will.

John Peterson, the younger, died 1773. He married Martha Thweatt,
sister of the grandfather of John James, Archibald, Richard, N. and Thomas
Thweatt, who were born at Palestine, in Prince George County, Virginia,
of an ancient and respectable family of English stock, John Peterson and
wife Martha Thweatt, had a son, Peter Peterson, who married Lucy Osborne,
daughter of Edward Osborne of Chesterfield County, and had two daughters, the
elder of whom married James Thweatt of Dinwiddie County. Martha Peterson,
daughter of John and Martha (Thweatt) Peterson, married Robert Batte of
Prince George County, and Mary Peterson, daughter of John and Martha
(Thweatt) Peterson, married Francis Poythress of Amelia County.

The Peterson and Thweatt intermarriage and connections are further
evidenced by the reading of the will of John Peterson of Isle of Wight County,
Virginia, dated 1 March 1731 — and proved January 1731-2, in which “gives to
Burrell Brown 400 acres land, but if without issue, to my son, Batte Peterson”;
“To Jeremiah Brown 200 acres, plantation whereon Joseph Perry did live,
but if without issue, to my son, John Peterson;” “to John Smith 100 acres on
the Fox Branch;” “to Martha Parham, of Isle of Wight County, 100 acres on
the same branch;” “to grandson John Eppes (not of age) 100 acres where
Jonathan Carter did live, also 100 acres where Robert Ellis formerly lived,
and 400 acres out of that tract bought of Edward McCarty up Meherrin
River on Jemitoe Creek;” numerous bequests of land to sons Batt and John
Peterson. “To daughters Mary Spain, Judith Thweatt and Ann Thweatt.”
Executors, sons Batt and John Peterson. Witnessed by William Thweatt,
Miles Thweatt, John Sturdivant. (I. of W. Co. W.B. Ill p.292). (Land
mentioned in Isle of Wight County, later in Brunswick County, Virginia).

Since the purpose of this history is only to trace the line connecting with
Sam T)avis, the Tennessee Hero, and not as a general and complete Thweatt
family history, we will take up the line of James Thweatt, son of James
Thweatt, Sr., of Prince George County, Virginia.

James Thweatt, Jr., and Judith Soane were married in Henrico County,
Virginia, 24 November 1701. (Francis Eppes Lineage p.253) (J. Staunton
Moore’s "'History of Henrico Parish, Old St. John’s Church.”). He lived in
Bristol Parish and his children are shown as follows:

Thweatt Family

139

1. Henry Thweatt, married Hannah Standley (Stanley).

2. James Thweatt, married about 1723-4 Mary Ann Peterson.

3. John Thweatt, married Judith.

4. Miles Thweatt, married Sarah — .

Henry Thweatt (James, James) whose wife was Hannah had issue:
(Bristol Parish Register).

a. George Thweatt, born March 7, 1720.

b. John Thweatt, born April 12, 1722.

c. Obedience Thweatt, born September 15, 1724.

d. Elizabeth Thweatt, born August 20, 1727.

James Thweatt (James, James) wife Mary Ann (often found in the records
as Mary) had issue:

a. Mary Thweatt, born February 28, 1724.

b. Frances Thweatt, born December 25, 1725.

c. Christian Thweatt, born February 9, 1729.

d. Martha Thweatt, born September 29, 1731.

e. Elizabeth Thweatt, born August 5, 1734.

John Thweatt (James, James) whose wife was Judith, had issue:

a. John Thweatt, born June 11, 1720.

b. James Thweatt, born March 12, 1722.

c. Elizabeth Thweatt, born August 22, 1726.

d. William Thweatt, born September 11, 1728.

e. Martha Thweatt, born October 21, 1732.

f. Judith Thweatt, born January 19, 1743.

Miles Thweatt (James, James) who married Sarah - , was active in

Prince George County, Virginia. We are unable to recite many of his exploits
due to the fact that most of the Prince George County records have been
destroyed. William Eppes, Sheriff; William Eppes, Jr., Miles Thweatt and
Joseph Simmons, under sheriff, Prince George Co. Va. (Va. Hist. Mag. and
Biog. Vol. 4 p.276).

Isham Eppes, John Ravencroft and William Stark appointed to settle the
differences between William Batte and Miles Thweatt in 1739. Prince George
Co. Records. (P. G. Min. Book 1737-1740, p.384).

There are a number of minor mentions of Miles Thweatt in the few
remaining records of Prince George County, Virginia. Then later there
appears Miles Thweatt, Jr., who is distinguished from his father thereafter
by the use of the terms “Senior’’ and ‘‘Junior.”

In the Bristol Parish Register we find the following children of Miles
Thweatt and wife Sarah:

1. Burrell (Burwell) born July 4, 1732.

2. William Thweatt, born September 14, 1734.

140

Thweatt Family

3. Miles Thweatt, born about 1736, but his birth does not appear in the
Parish Register with the rest of the children.

4. Alick Thweatt, born January 29, 1742.

5. James Thweatt, born probably in Bristol Parish, but not so recorded,
married Sarah by whom he had issue:

a. John, born June 12, 1745.

b. Tabitha, born May 27, 1749.

c. James, born April 3, 1752.

Miles Thweatt, (Miles, James, James) was born about 1736, but his birth not
recorded with his brothers and sisters in Bristol Parish Register, died 1773 in
what was Prince George County, Virginia.

Peter Eppes, John Sturdivant and Peter DuPee witnessed a deed from
William Wills to Miles Thweatt, Jr. 1759 (P.G. Co. Va. deeds.) (“Francis
Eppes Lineage” p.119).

It would appear from the records in Brunswick County, that Miles Thweatt,
Jr. died about 1773 and before his daughter Martha married William Collier,
since her guardian gave consent for the marriage.

Miles Thweatt and wife had issue:

1. Burwell Thweatt.

2. Martha Thweatt, who married William Collier in Brunswick County,
Virginia, with Richard Stewart, her guardian giving consent, November
22, 1773 (Brunswick Co. Va. M.B.). William Collier was a Revolution¬
ary Patriot in Brunswick County, Virginia.

Index

Abernathy, Elsie . 76

Acklen, Adelicia . 31

Adams’ Express Co . 57

Adams, Thomas . 87

Adams, Rev. Thomas . 87

Aldgate St. Botolph . 115

Allen, Mrs . 98

Andrews, Elizabeth . 130

Andrews, George . 130

Andrews, Mr . 131

Andrews, Rebecca . 109

Andrews, Stephen . 84

Armstrong, Captain. . . 36-54-58-62

Armstrong, W. F . 28

Ashton, Joseph . 50

Atkins, Miss . 85

Atkinson, Temperance . 109

Bailey, Sory . 71

Bailey, William . 118

Baird, W. W . 76

Baker, Jerman . 138

Baker, Mr . 88

Ballard, Miss . 118

Bannister, John . 108

Bard, Lonnie . 106

Barnes, Adam . 85

Barnes, J. W . 32-33-61

Barnes, Mary . 109

Barras, Joseph . 77

Barry, Mr . 130

Barry, Sarah . 129

Bath . 17

Batte, Henry . 137

Batte, Robert . 138

Batte, William . 139

Battle of Lookout Mountain. . . . 39

Baty . 93

Beard, William . 78

Beaty . 94

Beauregard . 31

Beauregard, General . 20

Beauregard, General Pierre

Gustave Toutant . 19

Beesley, John P . 94

Beesley, William B . 96

Bell, Charles E . 103

Bell, Georgia . 103

Bell, Kate Currin . 103

Bell, Mary Catherine . 103

Bell, Robert . 71

Bell, R. T . 103

Bell, R. T. Jr . 103

Bell, Sadie E . 103

Bell, Sam Davis . 103

Benham, Calhoun . 53

Benton, Sarah . 85

Beverly, Edward W . 104

Big Sewell Mountain . 17

Binford, Chappell . 112

Bingham, John H . 49

Bittle, Lucy . 109

Bittle, Peggy . 109

Black, Joe . 103

Blakely, William . 109

Blue, H. B . 71

Boisseau, Joshua . 129

Bond, Edith . 73

Bond, O. Z . 100

Bond, Octavia Zollicoffer . 78

Bonner, Mr . 131

Bonner, William . 128

Bookers . 128

Brooks, Mable . 88

Bowers, Mr . 131

Bowen, Margaret Lee . 91

Bowen, Mrs . 91

Bowen, Nellie Glenn . 91

Bowen, R. G . 90

Bowles, Ann . 137

Bowling Green . 17

Boyd, Lou . 88

Boyles, Frances Stuart . 102

Boyles, Joe Stuart . 101

Boylin, Gerald . 78

Bradley, Edward . 84

Bragg, General , . .21-23-27-32-36
37-40-41-42-44-45-46-47-60

Branscomb, Mr . 134

Braxton, General . 19

Bridger, James . Ill

Bridger, Joseph . 85

Bridger, William . 85

Bridges, William . 124

Briggs, Elizabeth . 126

Briggs, Henry . 126

Brodnax, Edward . 130

Brown, . 28

Brown’s Bridage . 49

Brown, Burrell . 138

Brown, Comrade . 63

Brown, Jeremiah . 138

Brown, John C . 53

Brown, Joshua . 27-59-78

3rown, Wiley . 101

Browne, Henry . 108

Browning, Governor Gordon 71-104

Buchannan, John . 94-96

Buck, Captain . 48

Buck, ' Irving A . 53

Buckner’s . 19-46

Buckner, General E. B . 18

Buckner, George S . 71

Buell . 20

Buell, General . 19

Bugg, Lucy . 130

Bunowe, Bethrer . 125

Burham, Alice . 135

Burnham, Rowland . 135

Burt, Eula Corinne . 104

Burwell, Lewis . 132

Butts, Clements . Ill

Butts, Jesse . Ill

Butts, John . Ill

Butts, Peter . 110-111

Butts, Sarah . 109-1H

Butts, Thomas . Ill

Byrne, C. H . 53

Calvert’s . 53

Calvert’s battery . 49

Campbell, Alexander . 129

Campbell, William . 30

Cannon, Elizabeth Everett . . .102

Cannon, James . 71

Cargill, Sarah Harrison . 126

Carroll, George . 89

Carson, Kit . 91-92

Carter, Jonathan . 138

Carter, Joseph W . 31

Carter, Richard . 129

Carter, Sally . 29-30-31

Chambers, Thomas . 131

Chapman, Charles . 127

Chapman, Sarah . 127

Chappell, Elizabeth . 125-126

Chappell, Elizabeth (Jones) 126

Chappell, Mary . 126-127-131

Chappell, Samuel . 126

I Chappell, Thomas . 126

Charles, Eleanor . 117

Charlton, J. W . 71

Cheat Mountain . 17

Cheatham . 39-40

Cheatham, General . 44-45

Cheatham, Joseph . 118

Cheney, Brainard . 105

Chicksaw, Captain . 36-63

Childs . 124

Chitly, Polly . 109

Cicil War . 16

Clariencienex, William Henry. 115

Clark, Captain . 43

Clark, Ellen . 88-90

Clayton . 78

Clayton, Boyce . 90

Clayton, Dan . 90

Clayton, Joan . 90

Cleburne, Patrick R . 46

Cleburne, P. R . 54

Clements, George . 109

Clements, Lucy . 109

Cockes . 128

Cocke, Mary . 108-137

Cocke, Nicholas . 108

Cocke, Richard . 137

Cocke, William . 108

Cody, Annie . 71

Coleman . 37

Coleman, Colonel . 59

Coleman, E . 21-28-60

Coleman, Margaret . 71

Coleman, O. B. . 71

Coleman, Sam . 71

Coleman’s Scouts 21-27-30-32-33-34

Coleman, W. R . 71

Collie, Nellie . 88

Collier, Abraham . 117

Collier, Ann . 118

Collier, Benjamine . 118

Collier, Burrell . 120

Collier, Charles . 115-117-118

Collier, Cornelius . 118-119

Collier, Dinah . 118

Collier, Drury . 120

Collier, Edward . 119

Collier, Elizabeth . 87 - 1 13-1 14-

117-118-120-121

Collier, Faith . 118

Collier, Frances . 115-119

Collier, Frederick . 120

Collier, George . 118

Collier, Hannah . 118

Collier, Henry . 116-118

Collier, Howell Lewis . 120

Collier, Isaac, Jr . 117

Collier, Isaac, Sr . 116-117

Collier, James . 115-118-119

Collier, John . 115-116-118-

119-121

Collier, Toseph . 119

Collier, Judith . 117-119

Collier, Lucy . 118

Collier, Martha . 118-121

Collier, Mary . 117-119-121-132

Collier, Meredith . 119

Collier, Miles . 120-132

Colder, Moses . 120

Collier, Mvhill . 117

Collier, Nancy Wyatt . 119

Collier, Nathaniel . 120

Collier, Peggy . 121

Collier, Rebecca . 118

Collier, Sally . 119

Collier, Samuel . H6

Collier; Sarah . 117-118-120

Collier, Thomas . 117-118-119

Collier, Tabitha . 120

141

142

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

Vines . 117

William. . 118-119-120-121-

Collier
Collier,

140

Collier, Wyatt . . . 119

Collyer, Agness . 115

Col Iyer, Charles . 116

Collyer, Isaac . 116

Collyer, Isaac, Sr . 115-116

Collyer, Mary . 116

Collyer, Regina . 116

Collyer, Robert . 11;;

Collyer, Samuel . 116

Collyer, Thurston . li;

Collyers . H;

Columbia 21

Conway, Edwin . 135

Cook, John . 124

Cooke, William . 124

Cooks, John D. . 94.96

Cooper, Governor Prentice 71

Copeland, Samuel . 94

Copeland. Samuel M . 94-96

Corbin, Henrv . 1^

Corbin, Letitia . 13;

Corbin, Thomas . 13;

Corbin, Winnifred . 13;

Cornelius, Mr . 57

Corse. Brigadier-General . 53

Coryell, Glenn Heath . 89

Coryell, Glynn Laurence . 89

Coryell, Glynn L . 91

Coryell, Lawrence Ritchie 89

Coryell, Patricia Vade . 89

Cox, Arthur . §9

Cox, Evalee . gg

Cox, Jackie Joe . 89

Cox. John Holland . 89

Craft, Mary . . 2 20

Cragon, Harvey A. Jr.. 71

Craighead, Rev. Thomas B. 13-14
Craven house . . . 39-40-41-42-43-45
Crow. Mournin gg

Cumberland College 24

Cumberland Gap . ' ' 13

Cummings 52-53

Cummings Brigade . 51

Cummings, Brigadier-General. .51

Cummings, General . 52-53

Cunningham, S. A . 75-100

Dabney, 78

Darnel, Anne . 128

Daniel, Tohn . 227

Daniel, John, Jr . 128

Darnel, John Halloway 128

Daniel, Winnie . 127

David, Martha g<5

Davidson Academy ... 14

Davidson College 1 a

... .... 25-27-60
Davis family . g-

Davis, Alfred 98-99

Davis, Alfred J . 100-101

Davis, Andromedia . . 98-102

Davis, Andromedia G . 10’

Davis, Archibald . 85

Davis, Arthur . . . 84-81

Davis, Axia . . V / 86

Davis, Bridget . 92-132

Davis, Bridget Gee .... 86-92-133

Davis, C . gg

Davis, Catherine . 83-85

Davis, Charles . ’ 92

Davis, Charles Emory. . 102

Davis, C. L. . . . . . " ' 99

Davis, Charles L., Jr . 71-86-93-

94-96-97-98-99-101
Davis, Charles Lewis 13-86-87-
92-93-95-99-100-102-104-105-113-
120-121-129

Davis, Charles Marion . 104

Davis, Christopher . 85

Davis, C. L . 98

Davis, David . 83-84-85-87-92

Davis, Diocletian . 85

Davis, Dolphin . 85

Davis, Dorothy Wells . 104

Davis, Eliza L . 93

Davis, Elizabeth . 83-84-85-86-

102-104

Davis, Elizabeth C. .100-101-102

Davis, Elizabeth Cannon . 99

Davis, Elizabeth Ewing . 104

Davis, Ella . 99-103

Davis, Ella B . 104

Davis, Emma . 102

Davis, Emma C . 99

Davis, Emma Cannon . 102

Davis, Emmalou . 104

Davis, Evan . 84

Davis, Everett . 102

Davis, Fannie . 98

Davis, Fannie N. White... 102

Davis, Fanny N . 100-101

Davis, Frank . 104

Davis, Frank Neal . 104

Davis, Frederick . 85

Davis, Goodman . 85

Davis, Hezekiah . 85

Davis, Hickman . 99

Davis, Hickman W. . 101

Davis, Hickman Weakley .... 102

Davis, Hicks . 99

Davis, Ida King . 104

Davis, Jane . . 98-100-101-104
Davis, Jane Simmons . 1 3-95-99-

100-105-121

Davis, Jefferson . 73

Davis, Jeff C . 49

Davis, John . . .83-84-85-87-92-98-
99-101-104

Davis, John Lewis . 85

Davis, Joseph . 85

Davis, James F . 84

Davis, James L. Jr. . 102

Davis, James Lawrence . 102

Davis, James Monroe . 86

Davis, L . 98

Davis, Landon . 85

Davis, Lenora . . 104

Davis, Lewis. . . .83-84-85-86-87-92-
120-133

Davis, Lewis, Jr . 86

Davis, Lewis, Sr . 86

Davis, Lewis Cookson . 86

Davis, Lobycy . 85

Davis, Luckett . 93-94

Davis, M . 98

Davis, Margaret . 86-98-101-104

Davis, Margaret Saunders . 99

Davis, Maggie . 99

Davis, Maggie Threate . 105

Davis, Martha . 83-85-86

Davis, Mary . 83-84-85-86-99

Davis, Mary A. S . 101

Davis, Mary Katherine . 102

Davis, Mary Louise . 104

Davis, Matthew . 83

Davis, Media . 70-98-101

Davis, Mollie L . 103

Davis, Morgan . 84

Davis, Mr . 55-56

Davis, Mrs . 23-57-58

Davis, Nelson . 104

Davis, Nicholas . 85-86

Davis, Onandates ... . 85

Davis, Oscar ....55-56-57-59-104

Davis, Oscar Jr. . 104

Davis, Oscar M . 98-100

Davis, Oscar Muse .... 101-104

Davis, Palmer, . 104

Davis, Palmer Cole . 104

Davis, Palmer Cole, Jr . 104

Davis, Priscilla . 85

Davis, Rebecca . 87-90-91-92

Davis, Rebecca A . 87

Davis, Rebeckah . 87-100

Davis, Rachel . 84

Davis, Rejoice . 83

Davis, Robert . 85-102

Davis, R. 0 . 99

Davis, Robert 0 . 99-102

Davis, Robert O. Jr. 103

Davis, Sam 9-13-14-16-17-19-20-
21-22-23-27-29-30-31-32-33-34-35-
36-37-38-54-55-56-57-58-59-65-66-
68-69-70-71-73-75-76-77-78-83-91-
100-102-104-1 13-1 16-120-131-1 34-

138

Davis, Sam, Hotel . 7 6

Davis, Sam B. . . 104

Davis, Samuel. . . . 60-61-84-98-101-
104

Davis, Sarah C . 102

Davis, Tabitha . 85

Davis, Thomas . 85

Davis, Wallace . 102

Davis, Willis L . 86

Davis, William. ... 83-84-85-98-99
Davis, William L. . 99-100-102-104

Davis, William Lewis . 86-101

Davis, Young . 85

Deshler, General . 52

Dennis, J. W . 71

Dixon, J. K . 53

Dodson, A. R . 73-76

Douglas’ Battery . 49-50

Douglas, S. A . 106

Douglass, Lusher . 93

Dodge, Brig-General G. M.. .32-33

Dodge, General. . . .22-32-35-56-59-
60-61-63

Dodge, General G. M. .. .21-28-61

Doddington, Isabella . 1 i 5

Doddington, Sir John . 115

Drew, Margaret . 109

Drewry, Hannah . 112

Drewry, Louisa . 109

Drumwright, William, Jr . 131

Drury, Ann . 109

Drury, Miss . 124

Dudley, Elizabeth . 109

Duke, Frances . 83

Duke, John . 83

Dunnin, John . 134

DuPee, Peter . 140

Earthman, Georgia Bell . 103

Earthman, W. B . 37

Earthman, W. F . 103

Earthman, W. F. Jr . 103

Eaton, William . 1 37

Edloes . 128

Edmondson, Jean . 85

Edmondson, H. R . 70

Edmunds, Howell . 110

Edmunds, Karrenhappuck . 112

Edmunds, Rowland . 129

Edmunds, Sarah . 112

Edmunds, Susan . 126

Edmunds, Thomas . 108

Edwards, Elizabeth . 108

Edwards, Jarman . 71

Edwards, John . 110

Edwards, Martha . 110

Edwards, Mr . 88

Elam, Elizabeth . 123

Elam, Gilbert . 123

Elam, Lizzie . 104

Elam, Mary . 123

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

143

Ely, John . /.Ill

Elliott, Capt. George A . ..32

Ellis, Robert . .-.138

Eltonhead, Agatha . 135

Eltonhead, Alice . 135

Eltonhead, Martha . .....135

Eltonhead, Richard . 135

Embrey, Martha . Ill

Eppe, Nancy . 118

Eppes, family . 137

Eppes, Elizabeth . 124

Eppes, Francis . 118-137-138

Eppes, Isham . 139

Eppes, John . 138

Eppes, John Wayles . 138

Eppes, Lucy . 138

Eppes, Mary . 137-138

Eppes, Martha Bolling . 138

Eppes, Matilda W . 138

Eppes, Peter . 140

Eppes, Richard . 137-138

Eppes, William . 108-124-139

Eppes, William Jr . 108-139

Estes, J. C . 76

Ewing, Sarah . 31

Falconer, Kinlock . 54

Felder, T. C . • . 71

Ferguson, Nancy . 132

Ferguson, Mr . .-...132-134

Fielding, Colonel . 51

Flannery, C. C . 71

Floyd . 18

Foote, Commodore . 18

Ford, J. H. C . 71

Forgrave, L. W . 35

Fork, William . 84

Forrest, Nathan Bedford .. 19-73-76

Forster, Arthur . 118

Fort Henry . 17-18

Fossett . 97

Foster, George . 108

Fox, Henry . 84

Fox, W. D . ' .78

Franklin . 21

Ft. Donelson . 17-18

Gaines, Miss . 118

Gaines, Thomas W . 32-61

Gambill . 98

Gates, Emma Nell . 76

Gary, Susan . 108

Gaut, Judge John C . 31

Gee, Amey . 131

Gee, Amy . 127-130

Gee, Becky . 131

Gee, Benjamine . 129-130-131

Gee, Boyce . 125-126-127

Gee, Bridgett . 86-87-120-128-

129-130-131-133

Gee, Catherine . 130

Gee, Chappell . 127

Gee, Charles, Jr . 126-128

127-128-129-130-131

Gee, Charles Jr . 126-128

Gee, Daniel . 130

Gee, David . 129

Gee, David W . 129

Gee, David William . 129

Gee, Dolly . 130

Gee, Drury . 126-131

Gee, Elizabeth ... 123-126-127-130-
^ 131-133

Gee, Francis . 130

Gee, Fanny . 130

Gee, George . 130-131

Gee, Gilbert . 123

Gee, Hannah _ 124-126-127-128-

130-131

Gee, Henry . 123-124-125-126-

127- 128-129-130-131

Gee, Henry, Jr . 123

Gee, James . 123-124-125-127-

128- 129-130-132

Gee, James, Jr . 129-130

Gee, James Hicks . 130

Gee, James T . 127

Gee, Jane . 130

Gee, Jeremiah . 130

Gee, Jesse . 129-130-131

Gee, John. . . .123-126-127-128-129-
130-132

Gee, Jones .. 99-113-120-121-129-

130- 131

Gee, Joshua . 123-132

Gee, Letty . 130

Gee, Lucas . 130

Gee, Lucy . 131

Gee, Luke .. 131

Gee, Martha Williams . . .129

Gee, Mary . 126-127-130

Gee, Matthew . 131

Gee, Nancy ..120-129-130-131-132

Gee,- Nevil . 130-131

Gee, Parthenia . 132-133

Gee, Patsy . 132-133

Gee, Penelope . 129-131-133

Gee, Priscilla . 132

Gee, Rebecca . 126-132

Gee, Rachell . 126-127-128

Gee, Robert . 124

Gee,- Sarah . 126-127-130

Gee, Sary . 126

Gee, Susan . 133

Gee, Tabitha . 132-134

Gee, Thomas . 131

Gee, Walker . 128

Gee, William 120-123-129-130-

131- 132-133-134-136

Gee, Wilson . 132

Gibson, Lieutenant . 45

Giles County ...25-27-29-33-34-

60-62-75-101

Gillespie, Eleanor . 71

Gillespie. House . 44

Gist, Brigadier-General . 40

Gist, General . 53

Godwin, Ida Lee . 105

Goodwin, Winnifred . 130

Gooch, A. B . 71

Goode, Robert . 119

Goode, Samuel . 119

Goodwyn, Jesse . 131

Govan’s brigade 48-49-50-52-53

Granbury, H. B . 49-50-53

Grants . 58

Grant, General 19-20-21-55

Grant, Ulysses Simpson . 18

Gray, Edwin . HO

Gray, Elizabeth . 119

Gregg . 60

Gresham, Asa . 100

Gresham, Jane 97-98

Gresham, Jane Brooks (Hudson)

100

Gresham, Jane H . 100

Gresham, Wm. Iverson .. 86-87-100

Griffin, Leroy . 135

Griffin", Mary . 93

Griffin, Winnifred . 135-136

Grimes, George . 118

Hale, Nathan . 29-59

Haley, Mrs. Y. W . 71

Haliburton, P. M . 87

Hall, Amos . 113

Hamill, Dr . 36

Hancock, E. D . 78

Hankins, Cornelius . 76

Hanley, S. P. ...... . . 53

Hardaway, Jean . 110

Hardaway, Mr . 117

Hardee’s Corps . 41

Hardee, General. . . .47-49-50-51-53
Hardee, Lieutenant-General. .39-40-

42-48

Hardee, William J . 19

Harris, Cely . 109

Harris, Mr . 118

Harris, William . 84

Harrison, Benj amine . 117

Harrison, Branch . Ill

Harrison, Elizabeth . 111-132

Harrison, Catherine . 109

Harrison, James . 120

Harrison, John . 111-126

Harrison, Judith . U7

Harrison, Mr . 133

Harrison, Tabitha . H7

Harrison, William Henry.... 117

Hart . 96-97-98

Hart, John . 97

Hart, Thomas Morgan . 97

Hatcher, Joseph . 108

Heath, Abraham . 128

Heath, Allie May . 89

Heath, Bernice Evelyn . 90

Heath. E. E . 87-88

Heath, Elmore . 88

Heath, Enos Elmore . 88-91

Heath, Hugh . 89

Heath, Hugh Ashburn . 88

Heath, Kathleen . 88

Heath, LaVerne . 90

Heath, Lyda Lois . 89

Heath, Malcolm . 90

Heath, Mary Tabitha Stone. . . .92

Heath, Mayme . 88

Heath, Mr . 131

Heath, Reed . 90

Heath, Reed Ballard . 90

Heath, Robert Byron . 90

Heath, Wells . 88

Heath, Wells, Jr . 88

Heath, William . 124-127

Henderson, A. G . 101

Hensley, James* A . 76

Henry, Captain . 41-42-45

Hibbetf, Walter . 71-104

Hibbitt, W. C . 71

Hicks, Charles . 117

Hicks, Isaac . 117

Hicks, James . 117-119-129

Hicks, John . 117

Hicks, Nancy Ann Vines ... 117

Hicks, Sally . 117

Hicks, Sarah . 129

Hicks, Vines . . / . 117

Hickey, Captain . 31

Hickman, John P . 73

Hill, Altie . 106

Hill, Betty Jane . 105

Hill, Caroly Ann . 105

Hill, Charles S . 53

Hill, Fanny May . 106

Hill, Hugh B . 105

Hill, Jennie B . 106

Hill, John . 117

Hill, Joshua . 119

Hill, Louis Lee . 105

Hill, Maggie T . 100

144

Hill,

Hines,

Sam Davis— Confederate Hero

Margaret R . 105

Martha . 105-106

Mary . 127

Nona . : : 105

Y; A-. . . . • . 105

Oscar Tech . 105

S. Read . J05

Sam. Davis . 205

Steven .... 1ns

Then . ioi

Thomas ... ,,7

William .. 10 L

W. S. Tech .

Keziah

Hines, Rebecca . 209

Hobson, Nicholas . . . . .4 ' . 13c

Hodges, Benjamine . 134

Hodge, Charles . 202

Hodges, Rev. Samuel 9

Hogg, Mrs
Hogg,

Ingram, Mary . 134

Ingram, Mr . 119

Ingram, Patsy . 134

Peter Pressley . 134

101

110

Ingram,

ingram,

Ingram,

Richard
Roger .
Sally. . .

134
134

s , 134

. 134
132-

Sarah

Tabitha . 120-131-

134

_ Samuel ... od at

Holcombs ... . 94‘96

Holland,
Holland,
Holland,
Holland,
Holland,
Holland,
Holland,
Holland,
Holland,
Holland,
Holland,
Holland,
Hoi]

. 137

. 89

. 90

. 89

. 73

. 89

John Thomas . 89

. 89

Bernice . .
Carra .
Elizabeth
Eunice
Harriett E.
John

134-136

Ingram, William

ingram, Winney . 134

Ingrum, Elizabeth . 134

ingrum, John . . . 134

Ingrum, Roger . 4 ' 134

Ingrum, William

. ,. . 134

Ironmonger, Elizabeth. . . .118-119
Irrott, Thomas S . 114

King, Nimmie...

King, Walter . C .

King, Walter H . . . 71

Kirkpatrick, Frances . 203

J°hn . 115-116

Knight, Mary . 215

Koonce, Willie T. . .... 71

Kyle,

Mr..

Mrs.

101

Mr.

112

Ivy, Sally.

108

Lelia
Otho .
Vol

W. W. .
William

>s, Mary

Holloway, Eugene C. Sr

Hope, Lucy. . . ’ .

Horn, Stanley. . . , ' ' . .

Horton, Governor Henry H
Hoskins, R. J.

Howard’s Corps

House, Isaac .

House, Mary .

House, William
Houston, Cade
Hudgins, Emanuel

. 90

■ .88-89
... .89
... 90
•99-102
... .71

Jackson,

Andrew .

Everett Elmore .

George R .

George Welton . 89

J°hn K . 39-45-78

Stonewall . 17

T- J . 17-78

.88

Bridgett

Hudson,

Hughes,

Hughey,

Hulbut
Hunnicutt,
Hunnicutt,
Hunnicutt,
Hunnicutt’s
Hume, William. .
Hutchinson, Knox
Hutchinson, Mr.

H. .99-113

109

.71

111

121

9!eg0fy B . 86-87-92

Gregory (Brooks) ... 1 33

Jane

Jane B .

Jane Brooks.
Miss .

Hal. . .

. . . .86

• ... 92
87-100
- - . .85

• . . .71
• • 20

.112
112

James, John . 138

James, Will iam R . 94-96

Jarrett, Frances Hill . 106

Jarrett, Frances Jean. . . 105

Jarrett, Gordon H . 105

Jarrett, Janice Ann . 105

Mary

Martha .

Robert . 112

. 108

. 73

. 71

. 119

Jefferson, Patsey . .

. 130

Jenkins, General.

. 41

Johnson, Bushrod R. .

13-14-46

Johnson, Laura .

102

Johnston, Albert Sidney.

17-18-20

Johnston, General

. 19

Johnston, Governor.

Johnston, Mr..

Jones,

Albridgton ...

Jones,

Amzi . . .

Jones,

David .

. 129-130

Jones,

Drury .

Jones,

Elizabeth . . .

. 93-110

Jones,

Ellerton . .

. . 110

Jones,

Frances .

. . . . Ill

Jones,

Fredonia . .

. 93

Jones, George . .

... 93

Jones,

Isaac .

. 93

fones, Juliett Ann .

. . . . 102

Jones,

Louise .

. 93

Jones,

Mary .

. 93-110

Jones,

Robert .

. 92

Jones,

Jumer,

Susanna . 112

Mary . 1 ] 5

William . 115

Ingram,

Anney .

n . . . 134

Henj amine . 124

Charles . 124

Elizabeth . 134

Francis . 233

Grace . 234

George . 234

Isaac . .

James . '234

Jeremiah . 234

Jesse . 234

John . 43-131-134-136

Joseph . 134

Joshua . 134

Keeble,
Keen .
Kelly’s
Kennedy,
Kennedy,
Key, . .

129

Ferry . 44

John C . 55

Mr . 58

51-52

Key’s Battery . 50

Key, Lieutenant . 5f

Key, Thomas J . 49-5 ->

J. B.

Killebrew,

King, Ida .

King, Marion DeKalb,

King, Martha .

King, E. E .

101

28
104
104
83
70-71

Ladd,

Lamb, Evaline . 209

Lamb’s Ferry . 27-56

Lanier, Sampson . 132

Latham, T. J . 73

Lathrop, Major . 32-61

Ledbetter, Capt . 16

Ledbetter, Henry . 125

Lee, Richard . 135

Lee, Robert E . 17

Lee, Susan P . 78

Leigh, Egbert Giles, Jr . 138

Lentz, Mr . 88

Leverson, Isabella . 115

Lewis, Jane . 109

Lewis, Mary . 109-129

Lightner, Lieut. Isaiah . 53

Lincoln, Mr . 16

Lincoln, President . 37

Linthicum, D. A . 53

Lloyd, Priscilla . Ill

Lloyd, Sarah . ill

Lockley, Edward . 116

Lockley, John . 116

Lockley, Sarah . 116

Longstreet, General . 46

Lookout Mountain . 54

Louise . 66

Love, Agnes . 88

Lowry’s . 50

Lowry’s brigade . 4g

Lowry, Brigadier-General ...53

Lowry, General . 53

Lowry, J. S . 70-71

Lucas, David . 120

Lucas, Rebecca . 127

Lucas, William . 132

Lumsden, George . 30

Lunady, Ruth . 104

McAllister, Gov. Hill . 71

McCarty, Edward . 138

McClernand . 19-20

McConnell, Colonel . 51-52

McCord Gov. James Nance.... 71

McCorry, Musidore . 73

McGowan, Fray Holland . 90

Hester Wilson. . . .90

Melodean . 90

. 90

. 56

McGowan
McGowan,
McGowan, Mr
McKinstry, A. . . .
McKinzie, Capt . .
McMurray, Morton
McRoberson, J. . . .

.71

.88

Maclin, Mary .

Maddux, Jere .

Mairne, John .

Mainyard, Mr .

Malcolm, Eillie . 89

Malcolm, Fannie . 89

Malcolm, Lillian Mable . 90

Malcolm, Milby . 90

111

.71

124

134

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

145

Malcolm, Mollie . 91

Malcolm, Mr . 88

Malcolm, Ruth . 89

Malcolm, Salina . 89

Malcolm, Susie . 89

Malcolm, William . 88

Malcolm, William W . 89

Malcolm, Winnie . 90

Malo, Anne Maria Semiliano

Vicentis . 115

Maney 53

Maney’s brigade . 51-52

Maney, General . 53

Maney, George . 16

Mangum, L. H . 53

Manly, Louise . 78

Marable, Benjamine . 93

Marable, Braxton . 93

Marable, Eliza L . 93

Marable, Henry H . 93

Marable, Isaac . 93

Marable, James . 93

Marable, John . 93

Marable, John H . 93

Marks, John . 118

Marshall, E. G . 90

Marshall, John . Ill

Mason, Elizabeth . 126

Mason, Tames .... 124-126

Mason, John . . . 124-126-127

Mason, John, Jr. . 126

Mason, John Rains . 126

Mason, Joseph 130

Mathews, Fannie Bob . 101

Mathews, Lewis Thomas . 101

Mathews, Sam Davis . 101

Mathews, Samuel G . 101

Mathis, Media G. . 100

Mathis, Samuel G . 101

Matthews, Media Davis . 91

Matthews, Tennessee . 93

Matthies, Brigadier-General. . . .53

Mattox, William . Ill

M’ller, Harry . 76

Miller, James . 71

Miller, Madison . 32-33-61

Mills, Colonel . 50

Mills, R. Q . 48-52

Mill’s Regiment . 49-50-51-52

Minor Hill . 27-29-77

Minron, Mr . 84

Missaugh, Daniel . 99-H3

Missionary Ridge . 45-46-47-48-

53-54-62

Mocquot, Charlie . 89

Mocquot, Mary . 89

Moody, Mr . 118

Moore . 28

Moore’s . 39

Moore, Betsy Jennings .... 131

Moore, Billy . 60

Moore’s brigade. 45

Moore, General. .40-41-42-43-44-45

Moore, Jincey . 131

Moore, John . 118

Moore, J. Staunton . 138

Moore, W. J . 27

Molloy, Lee . 88

Molloy, N. F. . ! . 71

Montgomery Bell Academy. . . 14

Moran, Claudia . 106

Moran, Evelyn . 106

Moran, Frank . 106

Moran, Hugh . 106

Moran, Maggie . 106

Moran, Syble . 106

Moreing, Christopher . 108

Moreing, Mary . 108

Morris, Henry . 110

Morris, Eugene . 71

Morris, Mason . 11c

Morris, Robert S . 94

Morris, Simmons . 110

Morrow, Libbie . 76

Mosley, Ann . 1 1 9

Morton, Kim . 104

Mottrom, Miss . 135

M unger, John . 134

Mullins . 97

vlullins, Jesse . 93

Mullins, Mary . 93

Mullins, Mary Jane . 90

Murfree, Temperance . 109

Murfreesboro 16-21

Myrick, Martha A. 109

Nance, Bedienia . O'*

Nash, H. NL, Jr . 76

Nashville 18-21

Nashville Military Academy 1.3

Nashville University . 13-14

Needham, Richard . IB

Neel, Caroline Tucker 10^

Neel, Frances Emaline . 105

Neel, Thomas Collier ... 105
Neel, Thomas Collier, Jr. . . 105

Neel, T. M. . 71

Neel, Thomas Meeks . 10^

Neel, Walter Hibbett . 103

Neel, Walter Hibbitt, Jr, . . 105

Nelson 97

Nelson, Elizabeth . 1 34

Nelson, Martha L . 93

Nelson, William D . -.93-98

Newbill, Thomas . 71

Newman, Jane . 135

Newman, John . 97

New Orleans, Battle of . 14

Newsom, I. R. . 97

Newsome, Elizabeth . 109

Neville ... 128

Neville, Benjamine . 128

Neville, Elizabeth . 128-129

Neville, James . 128-129

Neville, Jesse . 128

Neville, John . 128

Neville, Margaret . 128

North Carolina Legislature .... 13

□

Odium, James . 127

Oliphant . 97

O’Neal, Mary . 107

Osborne, Edward . 138

Osborne, Lucy . 138

Owen, Gronow . Ill

Owen, L. E . 73

Owen, Richard . 78

Owen, Susan . 110

Owen, William B. . 65

Pace, Christopher . 84

Pace, Dr. Errett . 89

Parham, Ephraim ...126-132-133

Parham, Frances . 126

Parham, Jane . 126

Parham, Lewis . 132

Parham, Martha . 138

Paiham, Mr. . 126

Parham, Parthenia . 132

Parham, Rebecca . 132

Patterson, Mary A. S . 100

Patterson, Mary Kate . 101

Patterson, Mr. . 101

Payner, J. S . 101

Pearsly, Abraham . 117

Peay, Governor Austin .... 7 1-101

Peebles, J. R . 94

Peebles, James R . 96

Peebles, Jehu . Ill

Pennington, Drury . 86

Pennington, David . 86

Perry, Joseph . 138

Peters, Lieutenant . 59

Peterson, Batte . 138

Peterson, John . 138

Peterson, Mary . 138

Peterson, Mary Ann . 1 39

Peterson, Martha . 138

Peterson, Peter . 138

Pettis, John . 84

Pettus, Brigadier-General. . . . 41-43

Pettus, General . 44

Pettus, G. W. . 34

Peyton, Frank . 71

Peyton, R. F. . 71

Phelps, George . 110

Pickett, Major . 43

Pigues, Evelyn . 73

Pillow 18-19

Pittsburg Landing . 19

Poindexter. Mrs. R. H . 71

Polk, Brigadier-General. . . . 17-46-
47-48-53

Polk, Leonidas . 19

Poole, Major . 47

Pope, Edith . 78

Porter, Mr. . 133

Porter, Patsy . 132

Porter, Penelope . 132

Potts . 126

Powell, Mary . 117

Powell, Mr . 126

Poythress, Francis . 138

Nentiss . 20

Pressley, Hannah . 134-136

Pressley, Captain Peter . 134-

135-136

Pressley, Peter . 13^

Pressley, William, Jr . 135-136

Priestly, Dr. James . 14

Proctor, Mrs. Tilden . 71

Pulaski . . . 21-25-34-62-75-77-101

Ragland, Allen .

Ragsdales

Ragsdale, Benjamine. .
Ragsdale, Joel M . . . .
Ragsdale, Martha. . . .
Randle, William

Randolph’s .

Randolph, John, Jr. . .
Randolph, Noah P. .

Rascoe, Lou .

Rascoe, Roy .

Rather, Mary
Rather, Kate Currin..

Raum, Colonel .

Ravencroft, John .

Reading, Timothy . . .

Reid, E. R .

Reese, Jane .

Reeves, A. T .

Reeves, M. G .

Reeves, W. G .

Reynold’s brigade . . .
Rhea, Juliet Ann . . .
Rhea, Robert Porter
Rhodes, Elizabeth . . .

Richardson, Mr .

Richardson, Mrs .

. . . 71

. . 128
. . 130
. . . 130
. . .131
. . Ill
. . .137
. . . 104
. . . 73
. . 102
70-102
. . . 103
. . 103
. . . 53
.. .139
. . . 124
. . . 98
. . . 109
. ... 97
... 91
... 96
. . . 46
. . . 102
. . . 102
. . . .83
. ... 56
. . . .31

146

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

Richardson, James . 71

Richardson, R. N . 30

Richardson, W. T . 78

Ridley, Bronfield L . 39-78

Ridley, G. V . 97

Ridley, Henry . 97

Ridley, Moses . 96-97

Riley, Ed . 89

Rives . 126

Rives, Mr . 133

Rives, Benjamine . 129

Rives, John . 126-127

Rives, Judith . 132-133

Rives, Rebecca . 127

Rives, Sarah . 127

Rives, Tabitha . 123-133

Rives, Timothy . 127-132

Rives, Winnifred . 127

Robb, Laurence . 89

Robb, Lillie Lilac Murrell 89

Robb, Willie . 89

Roberts . 60

Roberts, Catherine . 123

Robertson, General James... .13

Romine, W. B . 68-78

Romney . 17

Rosecrans, General . 18

Rosser, Mr . 133

Rosser, Sarah . 132

Rousseau, General . 28-55-56

Rucker, Malinda Amanda Emily
104

Rucker, William . 54

Puffin, Ann . 110

Ruffin, Benjamine . 110

Ruffin, Edwin . 110

Ruffin, Lucy . Il0

Rutherford County, Tenn. 13-16-75
Rutherford Rifles . 16

Sadler, Christine . 29

Sager, James Morton . 104

Saunders, John . 87-92

Saunders, Margaret. . .87-92-99-101
Saunders, Margaret Elizabeth . . 102

Sanders, Jesse . 84

Sanders, Lieutenant-Colonel ... 52

Schieb, Francis . 104

Scott, Boyce . 125

Scott, Elizabeth . 126

Scott, John . 125-126

Scott, Thomas . 125

Searcy, Anderson . 102

Searcy, Sally E . 101-102

Seay, Joella . 105

Semilians, Ann . 115

Semilians, Regina . 115

Semple’s . 46

Senter, James D . 73

Shannon, H . 49-50-53

Sharpe, Nora . 7 6

Shaw 27

Shaw, Capt. . 21-27-34-36

Shaw, Colonel . 59

Shaw, H. B . 21-27-28

Shelley, Thomas . 134

Sherman 20-40-49

Sherman, Major-General . 50

Sherrill. Samuel W . 78

Short, Freeman . 86

Shyrock, Mrs. Elizabeth . 73

Simmonds, Graset . 112

Simmonds, John . 113

Simmonds, Joseph . 112

Simmonds, Martha . 112

Simmonds, Sally . 112

Simmonds, Samuel . 112

Simmonds, William . 112

Simmons, A . 114

Simmons, Agnes . 107

Simmons, Alexander . 107

Simmons, Alfred . 108

Simmons, Amy . 107

Simmons, Anderson . Ill

Simmons, Ann .... 107-108-111-112

Simmons, Argyle . 107

Simmons, Asa . 107

Simmons, Benjamine . 107-108-

109-110-111

Simmons, Caleb . 107

Simmons, Charles . 109-110-

112- 114

Simmons, Charlton . 107

Simmons, C. P . 108

Simmons, Cordall . 109

Simmons, Cordy . 109

Simmons, Daniel W . 109

Simmons, Dennis . 107

Simmons, Deborah . 107

Simmons, D. H . 114

Simmons, Dorcus . 107

Simmons, E . 98

3'mmons, Edney . 107

Simmons, Edmond . 112

Simmons, Edmund . 87-99-107-

113- 114-121-129

Simmons, Edward . 107-108

Simmons, Edwin . 109

Simmons, Elizabeth .... 98-99-107-

108-110-111-114

Simmons, Elizabeth Collier ... 1 13-

121-122

Simmons, Enoch . 107

Simmons, Eyer . 109

Simmons, Fields . Ill

Simmons, Frances . 108

Simmons, Garrett . 113

Simmons, Garrett W . 113

Simmons, George . 107

Simmons, Hannah Chapman . 108

Simmons, Harry 1 . 114

Simmons, Henry .. 107-109-110-111

Simmons, Hilary . 107

Simmons, Isaac . 107

Simmons, Jacob . 107

Simmons, Jane . 13-87-99-101-

104-110-113-114-121

Simmons, James . 107-111-114

Simmons, Jesse . 108

Simmons, Joel . 128

Simmons, J. 0 . 114

Simmons, John .107-108-109-110-

111-112

Simmons, John H . 113

Simmons, John S . 109

Simmons, Joseph . 108-139

Simmons, J. W . 114

Simmons, Lucy . 110-111

Simmons, Malachi . 107

Simmons, Mary . HO

Simmons, Mary A . 113

Simmons, Martha . Ill

Simmons, Martha A . 114

Simmons, Mason . 110-128

Simmons, Nancy . 107

Simmons, Nancy A . 109

Simmons, Nathaniel . 109

Simmons, Newton C . 113

Simmons, Peter . 109-111

Simmons, Priscilla . 107-111

Simmons, Randol . Ill

Simmons, Rebecca . 108

Simmons, Rebecca A . 113

Simmons, Richard . 109-110

Simmons, Richard B . 109

Simmons, Robert . ,...107

Simmons, Sallie . 107

Simmons, Sally . 107

Simmons, Sampson . 107

Simmons, Samuel . 110-112-114

Simmons, Sarah . 107-108-111

Simmons, Spratley . 109

Simmons, Stephen . 108

Simmons, Stewart . 107

Simmons, Susannah . 110

Simmons, Tabitha . 110-111

Simmons, Temperance . 113

Simmons, Thomas. . . .107-108-109-
110-111

Simmons, Valentine . 109

Simmons, Vellaroy P . 109

Simmons, W . 114

Simmons, William ... 107-108-109-

110-111

Simmons, W. A . 114

Simmons, William D . 109

Simmons, W. 1 . 114

Simmons, William M . 113

Simmons, Zebulon L . 110

Sims, Boyd McNairy . 31

Sinnott, E. A . 70

Sinnott, Eugene Adam .... 102
Sinnott, Media Davis. .71-102-103

Skinner, Lizzie . 130

Smith, . 19-48-49-50-51

Smith, Brigadier-General... 50-53

Smith, Colonel . 30-31

Smith, Eli . 94

Smith, General . 47-49

Smith, Giles . 53

Smith, Henry . 47-54-115

Smith, Herbert . 89

Smith, J. A . 52

Smith, John . 116-138

Smith, John E . 97

Smith, Joe . 28-29

Smith, Kirby . 13

Smith, Lealand . 89

Smith, Love . 89

Smith, Malcolm . 89

Smith, Mr. . 30-117

Smith, Susannah . fl7

Smith, Snook . 105

Smith, Turner . 89

Smith, William . 117

Smith, Willis . 88

Smith’s Brigade . 49-52

Smith’s Texas . 47

Smyrna ... 21

Soane, Elizabeth . 137

Soane, Judith . 137-138

Soane, William . 137

Sothern, Rev. J. L . 90

Spain, Mary . 138

Spooner, Mr . 138

Stacker, Mrs. Charles . 76

Standley, Hannah . 139

Strange, Mary . 115

Stark, William . 139

Steele, Lieutenant . 41

Steepe, Elver . 105

Steven’s division . 51

Stevenson’s Brigade . 49

Stevenson’s Division . 53

Stevenson, General . 41-42-43-

44-4 5

Stevenson, Major-General . 4l

Stewart, Richard . 140

Stone, Agatha Estelle . 90

Stone, Ellen . 88-89

Stone, Esther . 91

Stone, Fanny . 88

Stone, Frank . 88

Stone, Gilbert . 90

Stone, Hardin . 90

Sam Davis — Confederate Hero

147

Stone, Hattie Lee . 90

Stone, Helen . 90

Stone, Hodge . 88

Stone, John . 88-91-92

Stone, John Jackson . 90

Stone, John Payton . 90

Stone, McLean . 88

Stone, Malinda . 90

Stone, Mary Tabitha . 88

Stone, Moses Enos. .87-88-89-90-91

Stone, Nancy Farris . 90

Stone, Raymond . 90

Stone, Rebecca . 88

Stone, Salina . 88

Stone, Salina Ann . 91

Stone, Thomas . 90

Stone, William . 88

Sturdivant, John . 138-140

Sugg, Colonel . 52

Sweeney, F. W . 33

Sweeney, T. W . 32-62

Sweeney, John C . 7 6

Swett’s . 52-53

Swett’s battery . 49-50

Tabb, Thomas . 130

Tatum, Amelia . 125

Tatum, Bridgett . 125

Tatum, Christopher . 125

Tatum, Edward . 132

Tatum, Jesse . 132

Tatum, Nathaniel . 125

Tatum, Peter . 132

Tatum, Robert . 127

Taylor, Mary . 107

Taylor, W. A . 49

Temple, Rebecca . 127

Temple, Robert . 127

Terry, James . 84

Thomas, Rev. John . 109

Thomas, Lucy . 129

Thompson, Addison Wells.... 87-
90-91

Thompson, Albert Tary . 87

Thompson, Amy Tabitha . 87

Thompson, A. W . 90

Thompson, Elizabeth . 135

Thompson, Francis Ann . 90

Thompson, John . . 86-87-90-91-100

Thompson, J. F . 32

Thompson, John Peter . 87-90

Thompson, Marshall Young. 90

Thompson, Mr . 90

Thompson, Petrionella . 90

Thompson, Rebeckah . 86

Thompson, Robert . 86

Thompson, Robert James . 90

Thompson, Robert Lewis D. . .87

Thompson, Salina . 88

Thompson, Salina Ann . 87-

88-89-90-91

Thompson, Sarah M . 86

Thompson, Tomela Adams. .87-91

Thorpe, Lewis . 110

Thormsley, Bridget . 128

Thornton, Anthony . 136

Throgmorton, Job . 116

Throgmorton, John . 116

Thweatt, Alick . 140

Thweatt, Ann . 138

Thweatt, Archibald . 137-138

Thweatt, Burrell . 139

Thweatt, Burwell . 140

Thweatt, Christian . 139

Thweatt, Cornelia Wayles. . . . 1 38

Thweatt, Elizabeth . 139

Thweatt, Frances . 139

Thweatt, George . 139

Thweatt, Henry . 139

Thweatt, James. .. 137-138-139-140

Thweatt, James, Jr . 137

Thweatt, James, Sr . 137

Thweatt, Jane . 126

Thweatt, John . 137-139-140

Thweatt, Judith . 138-139

Thweatt, Lucy . 137

Thweatt, Martha . 120-138-

139-140

Thweatt, Mary. . . 138-139

Thweatt, Mary Ann . 139

Thweatt, Miles . 108-120-138-

139-140

Thweatt, Miles, Jr . 139-140

Thweatt, Obedience . 139

Thweatt, Richard N . 138

Thweatt, Richard Noble. . 137-138

Thweatt, Sarah . 139-140

Thweatt, Tabitha . 120-140

Thweatt, Thomas . 138

Thweatt, William. . . .126-138-139

Tilghman, General . 18

Tilman, John . 110

Tilman, Susannah . 110

Tillman, Stephen F . 110

Travis, Lydia Heath . 88

Trent, Henry . 12'3

Trent, John . 123

Tucker . 97

Tucker, Carrie Elizabeth . 105

Tuck-er, Collier Baty . 105

Tucker, Johnnie Manning .... 104

Tucker, Lee . 102-104

Tucker, Leonidas . 105

Tucker, Oscar Davis . 104

Tucker, P. G . 71

Tucker, Robert Winstead .... 105

Tucker, Silas . 96

Tucker, Silas Brackin . 105

Tunnel hill . 47.49. 50-52

Tunstall, Elizabeth . 115

Turbyfield, John . 132

Turner, Mr . 119

Tyler, C. W . 78

Vanables, Agness . 115

Vanables, Sir. Thomas . 115

Van Cleave E. 0 . 71

Vaughan, Frances Emily . 106

Vaughan, George . 132

Vaughan, J. F . 106

Vaughan, Judith . 106

Vaughan, Mr. . 134

Vaughan, Nicholas . 108

Vaughan, Virginia Lee . 106

Vernon, Admiral . 118-119

Vine, Ann . 117

Vine, Thomas . 117

Wade, Jeremiah . 93

Wainwright, Mary . 112

Walker, Col . 84

Walker’s Division .... 41-47-48-53

Walker, General . 40

Walker, W. H. T . 39

Walker, Wm . 117

Wallace, Cecil . 71

Wallace, Lew . 19

Wallace, W. H. L . 20

Walpole, Thomas D . 94

Walthall’s . 39

Walthall’s Bridge . 40

Wathall’s Brigade . 45

Walthall, Brigadier-General. . . .41
Walthall, General. .41-42-43-44-45

Alton, Mr . 134

War Between States . 16

Warfield . 51

Warfield, Lieutenant-Colonel . 50-5 1

W arfield ’ s Regiment . 52

Washington, Laurence . 116

Waulx, Major . 43

Wayles, Elizabeth . 137

Wayles, John . 137

Weakley, Robert . 71

Wells, Florence . •. . . 104

Wells, William . 140

West, Nathaniel . 117

West, Thomas . 84

West, Virginia . 17

Wheatley, Samuel . 84

Whitaker, Nancy . 108

White, Betty S. White . 102

Whitehead, Nathan . 85

Whitehead, Sarah . 85

Whitehead, William . 85

Whitenter, Nancy Edwards. 108

Whitley, E . 104

Wilcox, Ella Wheeler . 69-75

Wilkinson, R. L . 71

Williams, Ann . 109

Williams, W. Orton . 59

Williams, Charles . 125

Williams, Elizabeth . 117

Williams, F. M . 50

Williams, Polly . 109

Williams, Sarah . 91

Williams, Sarah S . 109

Williamson, Kate . 105

Willett, Verlinda . HO

Wilson, Henrietta Elizabeth 1 19

Wilson, Mr . H8

Winchester . 17

Winstead, Robert . 102

Wood, Cornelis . 91

Wood, Job . 97

Wood, William A . 87

Woods, Cornelia . 91

Woods, Hettie . 91

Woods, Jack . 91

Woods, James . 91

Woods, John . 91

Woods, Lucy . 91

Woods, Madison . 91

Woods, Rebecca . 91

Woods, Robert Edward . 91

Woods, Robert Wells . ?T

Woods, Sarah . 91

Woods, Tabitha . 91

Woods, Thomas . 91

Woods, William . 91

Woods, William A . 91

Wormsley, Ralph . 135

Worrell, Sally . 108

Wright’s . 39

Wyatt, Elizabeth . H9

Wyatt, Francis . H9

Wyatt, Hawte . H9

Wyatt, John W . H9

Wyche . 127

Wyche, Benjamine . 126

Young, James . 37

Young, Lois . 105

Zolnay . . . . . 75

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